One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the American military, who returned home shortly after Shirley was born.
"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most young Americans.
"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a piano teacher.
Her life progressed for decades with little cause to question her American identity.
But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, as reported by advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was taken in by an American couple 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 still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their families have increased substantially following shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, I feel without a country."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is simply a matter of political will that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.
"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 a legal advocate.
Final Plea
The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, 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 placed on planes as infants and young children. Please listen to our accounts and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."
