One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"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 this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty 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 guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
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 aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
