One adoptee was just a year old 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 soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life similar to those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their families have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"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 stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
