One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers 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 many years with little cause to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But 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.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
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 concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.
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 began increasing significantly with requests for help," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"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 a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and honor with the commitment that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
