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

Hailing from South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back shortly after Shirley was born.

"He abandoned us, is the nicest way I can express it," says Shirley, now 61.

Approximately one year later, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to Texas.

Growing Up American

She was raised experiencing a lifestyle similar to those of most young Americans.

"I lived and breathed and got in trouble similar to other American teenagers during the eighties. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley recalls.

Shirley had children, entered matrimony and worked as a music instructor.

Life carried on for decades with no reason to doubt her US citizenship.

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

Citizenship Crisis

She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.

However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was told she needed to prove her legal standing in the country.

"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.

A Common Issue

Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals are without 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, who requested anonymity for fear of drawing notice of government officials, was adopted by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.

"I settled into my existence, always understanding that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she says.

Historical Context

For decades, international adoptions approved by courts and government agencies did not assure US citizenship.

The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.

Present Concerns

These concerns for adopted individuals and their relatives have risen even further since shifts in administration.

Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.

"Following political outcomes came in, it began increasing significantly with pleas for assistance," noted an attorney working with adoptee cases.

Lacking National Identity

"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's merely documentation issues," she said.

"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.

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

Possible Resolution

Despite adoptees being in legal uncertainty for many years, legal experts believe it is simply a matter of political will that should unite people from all political parties.

"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: adopted children should be treated the same as their biological siblings of parents who were American nationals at the time of birth," said an attorney.

Last Appeal

Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, so she and similar individuals 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 little itty-bitty babies. Please listen to our story and please follow through with the promise that America made to every of the babies that got on those planes: American citizenship."