Final answer:
Individuals with rights, privileges, and responsibilities of membership in a nation through birth or naturalization are known as citizens. They have the full protection of laws and access to all privileges and immunities that non-citizens, such as permanent residents or immigrants, do not fully have.
Step-by-step explanation:
Members of the public who through birth or naturalization enjoy the rights, privileges, and responsibilities attached to membership in a given nation are called citizens. These individuals are entitled to the legal rights granted by a state and have obligations such as obeying laws and fulfilling certain duties. Living in a country like the United States does not automatically make someone a citizen, as one can be a permanent resident or an immigrant with certain legal protections and rights, though not all privileges of citizenship. For instance, residents can live and work in the country, attend public schools, and may qualify for some social security benefits. However, they might not have the right to vote or hold public office. Becoming a citizen provides additional benefits, such as full protection under the 14th Amendment, which states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens and receive equal protection under the law and due process, and the ability to enjoy all privileges and immunities of citizens across the states.