U.S. national
As defined by the INA, all U.S. citizens are U.S. nationals but only a relatively small number of persons acquire U.S. nationality without becoming U.S. citizens.Section 101(a)(22) of the INA provides that the term “national of the United States” includes all U.S. citizens as well as persons who, though not citizens of the United States, owe permanent allegiance to the United States (non-citizen nationals).
A U.S. national is a citizen or resident of the United States, or a person who has been granted U.S. nationality without becoming a citizen. This can include individuals born in the United States, individuals who have obtained U.S. citizenship through naturalization, or individuals born in U.S. territories or possessions.