One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
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 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, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of 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 existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
