One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for many years with no reason to question her American identity.
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 experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts 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: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
