One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a US family back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, 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 took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
Shirley grew up living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and found mischief similar to other American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.
Her life progressed for decades with no reason to question her American identity.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her status in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Another Story
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
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 rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoption law.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the moment of their birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."