What is the difference between a US Citizen and a US National?

Question

What is the difference between a US Citizen and a US National?

Answer 1

I believe US Nationals people from US Territories. They can become Citizens upon taking the citizen test and oath

Answer 2

What is the difference between being a US Citizen and being a US National?

According to 8 U.S.C. section1408 it is possible to be a U.S. national without being a U.S. citizen. A person whose only connection to the U.S. is through birth in an outlying possession (which as of 2005 is limited to American Samoa or Swains Island) or through descent from a person so born acquires U.S. nationality but not U.S. citizenship. Nationals who are not citizens cannot vote or hold elected office. However, they may live in the United States without restriction and naturalize as U.S. citizens under the same rules as other resident aliens. Not all U.S. Nationals are U.S. citizens; however, all U.S. citizens are U.S. nationals. Indeed, U.S. passports normally make no distinction between the two, mentioning only the bearer"s nationality, not his citizenship.

http://www.uslaw.com/us_law_question.php...

Answer 3

The previous answer was very interesting, but I yet have another question due to the following statement below:

"Nationals who are not citizens cannot vote or hold elected office. However, they may live in the United States without restriction and naturalize as U.S. citizens under the same rules as other resident aliens. Not all U.S. Nationals are U.S. citizens; however, all U.S. citizens are U.S. nationals. Indeed, U.S. passports normally make no distinction between the two, mentioning only the bearer"s nationality, not his citizenship."

If you are born in Puerto Rico you are a US Citizen.  If you live in Puerto Rico you CAN NOT vote for the President of the US or hold elected office.

However, if you move to the US you can vote for the President and hold elected office.

Is that weird or what?