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One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family 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 kindest phrasing I can put it," states Shirley, currently in her sixties.

Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a US couple, who brought her to the Lone Star State.

Growing Up American

She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many young Americans.

"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans during the eighties. I belong of the 80s," Shirley recalls.

She became a mother, got married and worked as a music instructor.

Her life progressed for decades with no reason to question her American identity.

However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She lost her Social Security card and needed a replacement.

However when she went to her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.

"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she explains.

A Common Issue

This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship vary between 18,000 to 75,000.

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

Another Story

Another woman, who requested anonymity for concern about attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an US pair 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, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in addressing this issue, providing immediate citizenship to international adoptees.

Present Concerns

Those fears for adoptees and their relatives have risen even further following recent political changes.

Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by requests for help and some adoptees have gone into hiding.

"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoption law.

Stateless Feeling

"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she said.

"I always tell people that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she stated.

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

Potential Solution

Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should unite people from across the political spectrum.

"This ought to be a straightforward fix: children through adoption should be treated the same as their natural brothers and sisters of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," commented an attorney.

Last Appeal

Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and others like her could share their experiences.

"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 story and please follow through with the promise that the United States made to every of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."