One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the commitment that America gave each one of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
