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 left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of 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, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"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 stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes 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 stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
