One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans 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 doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East 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 says.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"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 moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," 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 gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
