One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can express 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.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, got married and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their families have increased substantially since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations 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 requests for help," noted a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and honor with the commitment that America made to every of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
