One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here 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
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the time of 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 explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and honor with the commitment that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: American citizenship."
