One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," 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 the United States gave each one of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
