One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by 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 young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an American couple 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 still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted an attorney working with adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested 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 stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo 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 a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
