One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," 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."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action 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 parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders 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 little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
