One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney 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 said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective 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.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes 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 aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the commitment that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
