One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other 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.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
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 went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding 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 approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
