One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life similar to that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
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 after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
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 removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the commitment that America gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
