One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her birth father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can express it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most American youths.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades 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 government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further following shifts in administration.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request 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 story and honor with the promise that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
