Texas Sen. Ted Cruz released his birth certificate to the Dallas Morning News on Sunday, revealing his dual citizenship in Canada and the United States that could possibly pose a problem down the line.
The Republican was born in Canada to an American mother, instantly making him a U.S. citizen, but under Canadian law, he also became a citizen of that country, the Morning News reported.
So unless he renounces that citizenship, he will remain a citizen of both countries.
“He’s a Canadian,” said Toronto lawyer Stephen Green, past chairman of the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section.
The U.S. Constitution allows only a “natural born” citizen to serve as president, and to most legal scholars, that includes an American born overseas to an American parent, the Morning News said.
According to the report, opponents have derided Mr. Cruz as “Canadian Ted,” saying he can’t run because he wasn’t born on U.S. soil.
Mr. Cruz, a Harvard-trained lawyer, argued last week that being an American by birth makes him eligible.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.