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One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.

Hailing from South Korea, her biological father served of the US armed forces, who returned home soon after Shirley was born.

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

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

Growing Up American

Shirley grew up living a life comparable with those of most American youths.

"I moved and breathed and got in trouble like many American teenagers of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.

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

Her life progressed for many years with little cause to question her US citizenship.

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

Citizenship Crisis

She lost her Social Security card and required a new one.

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

"I had an emotional collapse after finding out I wasn't a citizen," she says.

Widespread Problem

This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees lack citizenship vary between thousands to tens of thousands.

Dozens adopted individuals have been deported to their countries of birth in recent years, according to adoptee rights organizations.

Another Story

Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of drawing notice of authorities, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.

"I adapted to my life, consistently believing that I was an American citizen. That's what I was told. I continue to feel that today," she says.

Legal Background

For decades, intercountry adoptions authorized through courts and government agencies did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 created progress in addressing this issue, granting automatic citizenship to international adoptees.

Present Concerns

Those fears for adoptees and their families have risen even further since recent political changes.

Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with assistance inquiries and some adoptees have disappeared from public view.

"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," noted a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.

Stateless Feeling

"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's merely documentation issues," she expressed.

"I always tell people that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.

"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."

Potential Solution

Although these individuals being in legal uncertainty for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should gain bipartisan support from across the political spectrum.

"This ought to be a straightforward fix: adopted children should be equal to their biological siblings of parents who were US citizens at the time of birth," commented a legal advocate.

Final Plea

The adoptee hopes she could meet with national leaders for a discussion, 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 said.

"We were put on planes as infants and young children. Just please hear our story and honor with the commitment that America gave each one of the children that were brought here: American citizenship."