How is "outside the United States" defined?

The definition of "outside the United States" is accurately captured by identifying any location outside the geographic boundaries of the U.S. or its territories. This definition encompasses all regions that are not part of the continental United States or its overseas territories, meaning that not only does it exclude the land within the U.S. borders, but it also extends to any territories or divisions that are still recognized as part of the U.S. but are geographically separate.

For instance, locations such as foreign countries or international waters would fall under this definition, making it clear that "outside the United States" refers to any area beyond U.S. jurisdiction in terms of physical geography.

Other definitions provided in the options do not fully encompass the correct interpretation. "Any location within the U.S. borders" contradicts the premise of being outside the United States, while "any area not governed by U.S. laws" is overly broad and could include places that are inside U.S. territories or jurisdictions. Lastly, "any location that is recognized by U.S. states" fails to specify geographic boundaries and could lead to misunderstandings about what constitutes being outside the nation.