One adoptee was just a year old when she was adopted by a American couple back in 1966.
Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological 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 put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a US couple, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised living a life similar to that of many American youths.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.
She became a mother, got married and became a music instructor.
Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her Social Security card and required a new one.
But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.
Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Another Story
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from the Middle East in 1973 when she was two years old.
"I settled into my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.
Legal Background
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.
Present Concerns
These concerns for adoptees and their relatives have increased substantially following recent political changes.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said an attorney working with adoptee cases.
Lacking National Identity
"At the end of the day, they don't care about your personal history. They don't care that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.
"I always tell people this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned currently, 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 unite people from across the political spectrum.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," said an attorney.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.
"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.
"We were placed on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and honor with the promise that the United States made to every of the babies that got on those planes: US nationality."
