One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, 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 an American citizen. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
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
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"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 fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
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: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the commitment that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
