One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home soon 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 welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty 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 treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
