One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father served of the American military, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, 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 Texas.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside 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 informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
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 just a toddler.
"I settled into my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"When the election results came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted a legal professional working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty 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 biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could get the US president 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 stated.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and honor with the promise that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."
