One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family back in 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 abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I lived 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 worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said an attorney specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," 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 left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter 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 natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
