Ted Cruz renounces Canadian citizenship in statement
(CNN) – Lest any questions remain about Sen. Ted Cruz's national allegiance, the Texas Republican announced Monday he was renouncing his Canadian citizenship.
Cruz was born in Canada to an American mother and a Cuban father, and over the weekend he released his birth certificate to put to rest any questions about his background. In an analysis, the Dallas Morning News speculated Cruz – considered a potential candidate for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination – was a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.
"Because I was a U.S. citizen at birth, because I left Calgary when I was 4 and have lived my entire life since then in the U.S., and because I have never taken affirmative steps to claim Canadian citizenship, I assumed that was the end of the matter," Cruz wrote in his statement.
"Now the Dallas Morning News says that I may technically have dual citizenship. Assuming that is true, then sure, I will renounce any Canadian citizenship," he continued. "Nothing against Canada, but I'm an American by birth, and as a U.S. Senator, I believe I should be only an American."
As speculation ramps up about Cruz's political future, some have questioned his eligibility to become president. Most legal experts have said Cruz qualifies as a "natural born citizen," a requirement for the White House job, as stated in the Constitution.
In the Dallas Morning News Sunday, legal experts told the paper that Cruz is not only eligible for president in the United States, he's also technically a Canadian citizen and can even run for Parliament. Unless he renounces his citizenship there, he could also obtain a Canadian passport, according to the newspaper.
The senator's office, however, said Cruz has never embraced his legal rights in Canada.
"Senator Cruz became a U.S. citizen at birth, and he never had to go through a naturalization process after birth to become a U.S. citizen," spokeswoman Catherine Frazier told the newspaper. "To our knowledge, he never had Canadian citizenship, so there is nothing to renounce."
CNN's Jim Acosta, Ashley Killough and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
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"I left Calgary when I was 4 and have lived my entire life since then in the U.S" so you were actually born in Canada?
Beside the US citizenship, is it to run for White House, must be born in the US?
My mother was born in North Dakota in 1906 and moved to Canada in 1912. My mother did not become a Canadian until 1972. My father was born in Canada. When I was born in 1940, here in Canada, I immediately became a Canadian citizen as well as a U.S. citizen. I carry passports from both countries, and in each passport it very clearly states that I may have dual citizenship. The U.S. government recognizes me as a 'natural born U.S. citizen', and have so stated. Therefore, those who are claiming that this is not legal, are ignorant of the true facts.
Don't believe it! He's a plant for our sworn enemy, Canada – trying to gain control of our country and hand it over to the northern evildoers.
After 5 yrs of the Food Stamp president, I would certainly vote for Ted Cruz.
Curious timing of Cruz's action. Why didn't he do this before-long before? Why is doing it now.
What other citizenship does he hold that he hasn't renounced?
Ted, you JUST realized your citizenship? Sorry, you're not smart enough to be POTUS.
Bob C is correct. Will he renounce his Cuban citizenship as well? Where are the forms from the Canadian and Cuban governments showing that he renounced those citizenships? Did he also get citizenship in Dubai?
Now we know he's a certifiable idiot. Being Canadian is awesome!
Roolz is roolz. Ask Ah-nold.
Besides being intellectually unqualified to be U.S president, he wasnt born here? he probably doesnt believe Obama's birth certificate , hypocrite
sorry, emskadittle, the congress did get an exempt from themselves when they introduced a proposal on August 7, 2013 (NOT year 2010) to make taxpayers to pay for their insurance instead of joining the exchange. No one is covering this news because people will be angry since they know Obamacare is so horrible that they don't even want to join the exchange themselves. If they think it is so good, join the exchange. They are giving themselves a free lunch.
"Nothing against Canada, but I'm an American by birth....". Mr. Cruz, that statement doesn't clarify anything. Canada, after all, is in America – North America!! Please bone up on geography.
Lucky Canada!
Obama and co were included in Obamacare....their healthcare that they have now is paid for by us the American Citizens.....we pay their salary, and everything else they have! When Obama said you could keep your health care plan he lied.....when he said his health plan would not increase your taxes he lied. Then he violates the law he signed and exempted the SCOTUS, and congress from being included under the plan....Obama lied from the start about Obamacare and still is...not only that but about 1/2 of those requirements for implementing the health plan at a specific time have not happened!
Is The Donald going to spend spies up to Canada to snoop into Cruz' past life?
McCain "he's a citizen because he was born on a military installation in Panama" They passed a law years later stating that people born in the Canal Zone were US citizens. McCain was born in a taxi in Panama City . . .
I am a Texan and I remember a long time back when I was proud to let people know that I was a Texan. But those days have long passed.
I also am of an age that I recall the assassination of President Kennedy and the shameful period that every Texan felt in the aftermath.
But never in my life would I believe it possible that I would be ASHAMED to be a Texan. President Bush. Governor Perry and now, in an even more pronounced manner Senator Cruz has brought and continues to bring the utmost embarrassment and shame to the State of Texas.
I have friends in many other states and when the occasions arise that I hear from my friends, Republicans and Democrats alike, it is always a critique of how a state the size of Texas could elect such a baboon as our Senator. Texas is viewed, due to the eloquent efforts of Sen. Cruz, as the sphincter muscle of the nation and from its Senator's mouth spews the fecal matter of Presidential ambition and total lack of concern about the well being of all Americans.
Senator Cruz is against any and everything that in any way would help the less fortunate among us. He an his colleagues would shut the nation down to have it their way.
Senator Cruz's only real concern is that of becoming the "Messiah" President of the United States and from the Office of the POTUS he will bring "RADICAL CONSERVATIVE" philosophy in order to save our nation.
The man is a grandstander... he loves the limelight and the press coverage he gets...his only ambition is to be President...he is the darling of the Tea Party...he makes the great Ronald Reagan look like a flaming liberal...and he has accomplished above all other things the right to be called the 'GREATEST EMBARRASMENT EVER" to the State of Texas.
I have no fear of him becoming President as a huge majority of Americans see Sen. Cruz for what he is. But I am concerned that radical Tea Partiers may succeed in returning him to the Senate for a second term.
As for his renunciation of his Canadian citizenship, my heartfelt congratulations to Canada. If only he would renounced his American citizenship!
Sayabisa....Not true...anyone can be born in another country...the only requirement is that they be registered as a U.S. citizen...check your facts first!
Cruz will always be a non-American.
Ted Cruz, born in Canada to a USA mom, is therefore American. Barack Obama, born in USA to a USA mom, is therefore Kenyan. This is seriously how conservative logic seems to work.
Don't do it, Ted! Think about it...when you retire, you can be a double-dipper.
Born in Canada, lived there the first 4 years of his life and it never dawned on him he could be a Canadian citizen...
I surely don't want somebody that dumb for my president. Thanks but no thanks.
You don't have to be born in America to become president. You have to be a natural born citizen, which most scholars take to mean someone who was a citizen at birth. He was, so he is eligible. Additionally, had Obama actually been born in Kenya he would still be a natural born citizen because his mother was a citizen.
That shouting coming from the north is Canada rejoicing.
This ignorant tea-bagger will NEVER see the inside of the White House!