One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way 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.
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.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades 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 required a new one.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, international 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 adopted individuals and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.
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 pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals 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 similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
