One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who brought her to Texas.
An American Upbringing
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to question her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of authorities, was taken in by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups 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," noted an attorney working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she said.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and honor with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the children that were brought here: US nationality."
