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One adoptee was only twelve months when she was adopted by a American couple during 1966.

Born in the Korean peninsula, her biological father was a member of the American military, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.

"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.

After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.

Growing Up American

She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to that of many American youths.

"I moved and breathed and got in trouble similar to other teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.

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

Life carried on for many years with no reason to question her US citizenship.

But then in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Citizenship Crisis

She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.

However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.

"I had an emotional collapse upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.

A Common Issue

This situation isn't unique. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.

Dozens adoptees have been deported to their countries of birth in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.

Another Story

A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention 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 existence, always understanding that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I still believe that today," she states.

Legal Background

Over many years, intercountry adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.

The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.

Current Fears

Those fears for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further following shifts in administration.

Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.

"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional working with adoptee cases.

Stateless Feeling

"Ultimately, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.

"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.

"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."

Possible Resolution

Although these individuals being left in limbo for decades, 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 an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented an attorney.

Final Plea

The adoptee hopes she could get the US president into a room, 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 put on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and honor with the commitment that America made to every of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."