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One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a American couple back in 1966.

Born in South Korea, her birth father served of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.

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

After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who took her back to the Lone Star State.

An American Upbringing

Shirley grew up living a life similar to those of most young Americans.

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

Shirley had children, got married and worked as a piano teacher.

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

But then in 2012, her world came crashing down.

Citizenship Crisis

She misplaced her Social Security card and needed a replacement.

However when she went to her government agency, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.

"I had a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.

A Common Issue

Shirley is not alone. Approximations of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.

Dozens adopted individuals have been removed to their countries of birth in recent years, as reported by advocacy groups.

Additional Account

A different individual, who requested anonymity for concern about drawing notice of authorities, 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 an American citizen. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.

Legal Background

For decades, international adoptions authorized through legal systems did not automatically guarantee US citizenship.

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

Current Fears

Those fears for adoptees and their families have increased substantially since recent political changes.

Adoptee rights groups say they have been overwhelmed by assistance inquiries and certain individuals have gone into hiding.

"Following political outcomes were announced, it started to really cascade with pleas for assistance," said a legal professional working with adoptee cases.

Lacking National Identity

"At the end of the day, authorities aren't concerned about your personal history. They're not interested that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.

"I frequently explain that one document of paper has fundamentally damaged my life," she said.

"From my perspective right now, I feel stateless."

Possible Resolution

Although these individuals being left in limbo for many years, attorneys believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.

"This ought to be an uncomplicated solution: 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 meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.

"I would ask him to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she stated.

"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our story and please follow through with the commitment that the United States gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."