One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to Texas.
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 during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations 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 recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was adopted 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's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee 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 adoptees and their families have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," 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 without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will 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 natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
