One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Born in the Korean peninsula, 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 express it," says Shirley, now 61.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.
An American Upbringing
She was raised living a life similar to those of most American youths.
"I lived and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.
She became a mother, entered matrimony and became a piano teacher.
Life carried on for many years with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.
However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.
Discovering Non-Citizen Status
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown after finding out I lacked citizenship," she explains.
Widespread Problem
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.
Additional Account
Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I adapted to my existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.
"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, legal experts believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were US citizens at the moment of their birth," said an attorney.
Last Appeal
The adoptee hopes 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 said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the commitment that America gave each one of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
