One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and honor with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
