One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, consistently believing 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 courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"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 just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request 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 commitment that America made to every of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
