One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate 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 US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted an attorney working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested 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 fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president 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. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
