One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. 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 the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
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 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 parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the commitment that America made to every of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
