One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple back in 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 put it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, got married and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees 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 disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade 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're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
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 across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
