One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life similar to those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"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 babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
