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Bernardo de La Paz

(48,959 posts)

41. Yes. Cruz was not natural born, but was naturalized instantly at birth by his mother's citizenship.

Tue Mar 1, 2016, 07:58 AM

Mar 2016

It's an odd quirk of US citizenship law.

If you are born on US soil (regardless of parentage), you are "natural born" and a US citizen that way and eligible for the Presidency.

If you are born off US soil to a US citizen parent, you are "naturalized" a citizen at birth by that fact, but not natural born and thus ineligible.

If you are born off US soil to no US citizen parent, but immigrate into the US and fulfill legal obligations such as period of residency, then you become "naturalized by law" and also ineligible.

In McCain's case, he was born on US soil (Panama Canal Zone at the time) and thus natural born and eligible.

Obama was born on US soil in Hawaii and obviously eligible.

George Romney (Mitt's parent) was naturalized at birth in Mexico City and thus ineligible but nobody raised the issue at the time and his failed presidential campaign made the issue moot.

Ted Cruz is naturalized but not natural born. Ted Cruz is ineligible for the Presidency.

Rubio was natural born on US soil. He is eligible.

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65 replies

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New York Judge To Decide If Senator Ted Cruz Is American [View all] big_dog Feb 2016 OP

I know we're all embarrassed by him, but you can't just go and declare him not an American. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Feb 2016 #1

I have listened to some Constitutional experts debate this Angry Dragon Feb 2016 #6

Neither of Rubio's parents was a U.S. citizen at the time of Rubio’s birth dixiegrrrrl Feb 2016 #9

according to some he is not Angry Dragon Feb 2016 #10

No, his mother was muriel_volestrangler Feb 2016 #12

Was born on American soil. iandhr Feb 2016 #13

I would think so. n/t ozone_man Feb 2016 #17

Rubio is definitely a natural born citizen....but Cruz may have to be settled in court.... markj757 Feb 2016 #23

Didja know the Senate passed a resolution that McCain was a natural born citizen? dixiegrrrrl Mar 2016 #44

Rubio was born on American soil - Cruz wasn't. MADem Feb 2016 #32

And neither was one of Obama's Retrograde Mar 2016 #34

He is American, just not Natural Botn WhiteTara Feb 2016 #8

Nope... TipTok Mar 2016 #60

It's not bullshit..... markj757 Mar 2016 #65

Right, it's a bad headline, but what else is new? elleng Feb 2016 #28

LOL former9thward Mar 2016 #62

I agree. And this will affect a lot more people than Ted Cruz. Cavallo Mar 2016 #39

He's clearly American. Just not natural born and therefore Cruz is ineligible for the Presidency. Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2016 #54

No, not how it works. former9thward Mar 2016 #61

You make my point Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2016 #63

2006 is just the latest codification of the law. former9thward Mar 2016 #64

I'm more concerned about which planet he's from. TheCowsCameHome Feb 2016 #2

yes, better question : ) n/t MBS Feb 2016 #31

Planet Creepistan. Dont call me Shirley Feb 2016 #33

It is an embarrassment he is a dog pound worker, let alone United States Senator randys1 Feb 2016 #3

Misleading headline as the issue concerns the constitutional phrase "natural born". PoliticAverse Feb 2016 #4

Yes. Cruz was not natural born, but was naturalized instantly at birth by his mother's citizenship. Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2016 #41

Where is "natural born" defined? n/t Orsino Mar 2016 #47

It is ill-defined, but it is deep in American jurisprudence including foundational writing from Brit Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2016 #50

Then let's not just blindly assert that Cruz doesn't meet this undefined standard. Orsino Mar 2016 #53

Though Cruz should be disqualified for Dominionist treason, "your book" does not rule. Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2016 #56

The issue isn't citizenship lapfog_1 Feb 2016 #5

I don't even know if Ted Cruz was even born meow2u3 Feb 2016 #25

well I assume like John McCain congress will have to approve him to run, but as it stands Canada con PatrynXX Feb 2016 #7

If the Judge rules the constition says he is not "natural born" itsrobert Feb 2016 #16

Cruz renounced his Canadian citizenship and Canadians denounce him Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2016 #42

30 Rock says no. onehandle Feb 2016 #11

The Birth Parent Argument Makes Me Crazy! Chasstev365 Feb 2016 #14

Cubanadian Repubbbies are their own special breed AxionExcel Feb 2016 #15

For some reason, he looks almost...natural...in that outfit. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2016 #45

a specious argument intended so Cruz can claim, "a judge ruled in my favor. So, its settled. I'm Kip Humphrey Feb 2016 #18

Natural born houston16revival Feb 2016 #19

Cruz is not a natural born person LastLiberal in PalmSprings Mar 2016 #37

He is American. No argument at all. HubertHeaver Feb 2016 #20

First things first: is he human? LiberalEsto Feb 2016 #21

Yes, that is the question that I want answered. potone Feb 2016 #22

The judge ought to decide if Ted Cruz is human meow2u3 Feb 2016 #24

You beat me to it! Bjornsdotter Feb 2016 #27

I think first they better decide if he's human. Raster Feb 2016 #26

Did I miss the hearing to determine if he is human? Ducksworthy Feb 2016 #29

A simple solution: Earth_First Feb 2016 #30

Both are Canadian beers pandr32 Mar 2016 #43

It was a joke... Earth_First Mar 2016 #58

I got it! kentauros Mar 2016 #59

We aren't taking him back. EllieBC Mar 2016 #35

This is a case of first impression. Manifestor_of_Light Mar 2016 #36

his nationality is the least of my concerns with him Skittles Mar 2016 #38

that's true but if the New York board of elections would have done their job to begin with mdbl Mar 2016 #40

natural born is simple to me RussBLib Mar 2016 #46

I thought having an American citizen parent Bradical79 Mar 2016 #48

Cruz is eligible Liberty Sage Mar 2016 #49

Please make your constitutional arguments Here: seaotter Mar 2016 #51

Harvard Law Review Liberty Sage Mar 2016 #55

Nope Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2016 #52

Canadian. Anchor. Baby. AngryAmish Mar 2016 #57