One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her Social Security card 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 says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into 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 approved by courts and government agencies 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
Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
