One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
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 informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth 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 US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders 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 little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
