One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. 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 said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders 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 said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
