One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing 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 approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their families have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted an attorney working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
