One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies 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
These concerns for adopted individuals 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.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested 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 without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo 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: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and honor with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
