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One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.

Born in South Korea, her biological father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.

"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, now 61.

After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to Texas.

An American Upbringing

Shirley grew up living a life comparable with those of most young Americans.

"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.

She became a mother, got married and worked as a piano teacher.

Her life progressed for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.

But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.

Citizenship Crisis

She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.

But when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her status in the country.

"I experienced an emotional collapse after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.

A Common Issue

This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.

Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to advocacy groups.

Another Story

A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.

"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.

Historical Context

For decades, intercountry adoptions approved by 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 families have increased substantially since recent political changes.

Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.

"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoption law.

Lacking National Identity

"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.

"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.

"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."

Possible Resolution

Despite adoptees being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from across the political spectrum.

"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented an attorney.

Final Plea

Shirley wishes she could get the US president for a discussion, so she and others like her could explain their stories.

"I would ask him to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she stated.

"We were put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."