One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological 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," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life similar to those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, 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 expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption 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 for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
