Basically, the US Census Bureau only recognizes White, Black, American Indian, Asian, and Pacific Islander as races. Census Bureau forms allow one to select more than one race. The forms also allow for selection as Hispanic or Latino as an ethnicity. Hispanics and Latinos are considered white.

Don't confuse race and ethnicity. Italian-American is an ethnic designation, not a racial one. Also, don't confuse nationality with the foregoing. I am a white American of Italian descent.