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One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.

Hailing from the Korean peninsula, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who went back shortly 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 adopted by a American pair, who brought her to the Lone Star State.

An American Upbringing

Shirley grew up experiencing a lifestyle comparable with those of most young Americans.

"I moved and breathed and found mischief like many American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.

She became a mother, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.

Her life progressed for many years with little cause to question her American identity.

However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.

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

"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I lacked citizenship," she says.

Widespread Problem

Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.

Numerous adoptees have been removed to their nations of origin in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.

Another Story

A different individual, who requested anonymity for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, 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 a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she says.

Historical Context

Over many years, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.

Present Concerns

These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have increased substantially since recent political changes.

Adoptee rights groups 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 pleas for assistance," noted a legal professional specializing in adoption law.

Lacking National Identity

"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They're not interested 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.

"As far as I'm concerned right now, I feel without a country."

Possible Resolution

Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from all political parties.

"It should 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 moment of their birth," commented a legal advocate.

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 request to please have some compassion. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.

"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our accounts and please follow through with the promise that the United States gave each one of the children that were brought here: US nationality."