One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home shortly 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 US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.
Life carried on for decades with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her government identification and required a new one.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in the past decade, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have increased substantially since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."
Possible Resolution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, 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 infants and young children. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the promise that the United States made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
