One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, 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," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on 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.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their families have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, 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 parents 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 explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States made to every of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
