One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.
Born in South Korea, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the nicest way I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life comparable with that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She lost her government identification and required a new one.
But when she visited her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.
Dozens adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Historical Context
For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since recent political changes.
Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have gone into hiding.
"Following political outcomes were announced, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney specializing in adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care 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.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Possible Resolution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.
"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
