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," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the commitment that the United States made to every of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
