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One adoptee was just a year old when she was taken in by a US family back in 1966.

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

"He abandoned us, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, now 61.

After around a year, Shirley was adopted by a American pair, who brought her to Texas.

An American Upbringing

She was raised living a life comparable with that of many young Americans.

"I lived and breathed and got in trouble like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I'm a child of the 80s," Shirley says.

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

Life carried on for many years with little cause to doubt her US citizenship.

However in 2012, her life was turned upside down.

Discovering Non-Citizen Status

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

But when she visited her local Social Security office, Shirley was informed she needed to prove her status in the country.

"I experienced an emotional collapse upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she says.

Widespread Problem

This situation isn't unique. Estimates of how many American adoptees are without citizenship range from 18,000 to 75,000.

Dozens adoptees have been deported to their nations of origin in recent years, according to advocacy groups.

Another Story

Another woman, preferring to remain unnamed for concern about attracting the attention of authorities, was taken in by an US pair from Iran in 1973 when she was just a toddler.

"I settled into my existence, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I continue to feel that today," she states.

Legal Background

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

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 made some headway in rectifying this, providing immediate citizenship to children adopted from abroad.

Current Fears

These concerns for adoptees and their families have increased substantially since shifts in administration.

Advocacy organizations say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have gone into hiding.

"Following political outcomes came in, it started to really cascade with requests for help," said a legal professional specializing in adoptee cases.

Stateless Feeling

"At the end of the day, they don't care about your back story. They don't care that your presence is lawful and it's just a paperwork error," she said.

"I frequently explain this one single piece of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she said.

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

Possible Resolution

Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, attorneys believe it is just a case of political will that should unite people from across the political spectrum.

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

Final Plea

Shirley wishes she could get the US president into a room, so she and similar individuals could share their experiences.

"I would ask him to show understanding. We aren't undocumented immigrants," she said.

"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and honor with the promise that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: US nationality."