One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
However 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 told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees 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 requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals 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 accounts and honor with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the babies that were brought here: US nationality."
