One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, 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, intercountry adoptions approved by 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 international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted an attorney working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, 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 all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
