One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said an attorney specializing in adoption law.
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 said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support 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 American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and honor with the commitment that America gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
