One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of government officials, 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 states.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with 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 just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. 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 promise that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
