One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can express it," says 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 comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
