One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their families have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and honor with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
