One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life comparable with that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card 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 a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful 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 said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should 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 time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
