How is a U.S. national defined?

A U.S. national is defined as a person who is under the protection of the United States government. This category includes all U.S. citizens, as they enjoy the full rights and protections offered by the country. However, it also encompasses certain individuals who may not hold citizenship but still have a recognized connection to the U.S. territories, such as individuals from American Samoa who are U.S. nationals but are not U.S. citizens. This definition emphasizes the legal status of an individual in relation to the U.S. government's safeguarding, rather than their specific rights or residency status. Other options relate to citizenship status, voting rights, or temporary presence in the country, while a U.S. national focuses specifically on the protective relationship to the government.