One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the American military, 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 adopted by a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed 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 lost her government identification and needed a replacement.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.
"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Numerous adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she states.
Legal Background
For decades, 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 adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," said an attorney working with adoption law.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.
"From my perspective right now, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would request to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.
"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
