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 American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life similar to that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted a legal professional 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 merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
