One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who returned home 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 welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to question her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove 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. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an American couple from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to 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, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
