One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life comparable with that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
