One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father served of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees 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
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
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 show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
