It was clear what Cruz intended at the time he offered his amendment. Unfortunately for those such as Rubio and yourself many of us remember the circumstances very clearly.
Well, reading the actual text, it's clear it wasn't just a parliamentary trick. Note your key words: "at the time." What was Cruz's team telling people in March of this year, and also after that? Is Cruz clear in his denunciation of granting legal status?
The whole "it was an elaborate ruse!" argument fails if the ruse keeps going and going and going.