One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life similar to those of most young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, 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
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"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 please follow through with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."
