One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
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 adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups 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," said an attorney working with adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
