One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the American military, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.
After around a year, 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 that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, international adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional specializing in adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged 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 many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
