Which term describes a person who is not a citizen of the United States but owes permanent allegiance to the United States?

Which term describes a person who is not a citizen of the United States but owes permanent allegiance to the United States?

• A. U.S. National
• B. Permanent Resident
• C. Naturalized Citizen
• D. Dual National

Answer: (A)

The main idea is distinguishing between citizenship and allegiance. In U.S. law, a person can owe permanent allegiance to the United States without being a citizen. That specific status is described as a U.S. national. U.S. nationals are not U.S. citizens by birth, so they don’t automatically have all the rights of citizens (for example, they typically can’t vote in federal elections) though they are entitled to U.S. protection and can obtain a U.S. passport. Some U.S. nationals, such as those born in American Samoa or Swains Island, may naturalize to full citizenship if they choose and meet the requirements. Permanent residents are individuals who have the right to live in the United States but are not nationals by this definition; their status is immigration-based rather than a nationality tied to allegiance. A naturalized citizen is already a U.S. citizen after completing the naturalization process, so that doesn’t fit the description of not being a citizen. A dual national holds citizenship in two countries, which still involves citizenship; the scenario specifically calls for someone who is not a citizen. Thus, the term that best fits is U.S. national.

The main idea is distinguishing between citizenship and allegiance. In U.S. law, a person can owe permanent allegiance to the United States without being a citizen. That specific status is described as a U.S. national. U.S. nationals are not U.S. citizens by birth, so they don’t automatically have all the rights of citizens (for example, they typically can’t vote in federal elections) though they are entitled to U.S. protection and can obtain a U.S. passport. Some U.S. nationals, such as those born in American Samoa or Swains Island, may naturalize to full citizenship if they choose and meet the requirements.

Permanent residents are individuals who have the right to live in the United States but are not nationals by this definition; their status is immigration-based rather than a nationality tied to allegiance. A naturalized citizen is already a U.S. citizen after completing the naturalization process, so that doesn’t fit the description of not being a citizen. A dual national holds citizenship in two countries, which still involves citizenship; the scenario specifically calls for someone who is not a citizen. Thus, the term that best fits is U.S. national.