One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals 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, authorities aren't concerned 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 fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
