One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of 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 still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, attorneys 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 biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
