One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth 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.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
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 nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
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 adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
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 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns 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 gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
