Does government policy define who americans are?

Question

Does government policy define who americans are?

Answer 1

I believe it does. We are the government, if  we allow things like torture, it defines Americans.

Answer 2

It defines who is a United States citizen for sure.

Answer 3

If you mean citizen, then it is not policy that defines who Americans are.  Policy can change with the power of the vote.

The Constitution defines what a citizen is with Amendment 14.

"1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."