One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life similar to those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their families have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: 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," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him 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 the United States made to every of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
