One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing 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 experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East 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 still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain 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
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: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and honor with the commitment that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
