One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems 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 recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the commitment that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
