One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up 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, got married and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
However 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 upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure 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 adopted individuals and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to 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 time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and honor with the promise that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
