One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. 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 assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document 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 decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals 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 accounts and honor with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
