One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological 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," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told 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
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their families have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned 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 said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
