Replies

“This is settled law.”

You quote a 1971 ruling. Just like the court overturned what appeared to be an anti-gay marriage stance from around the same time, so they can easily write this away. I agree that Cruz should get some clarity on this, but there is great controversy over this.

Additionally, Mr. Bellei never fulfilled the residency clause, while Mr. Cruz did. There is an interesting post here from someone from the ACLU no less that came to quite a different conclusion than you:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jan/13/susan-carleson-should-settle-cruz-eligibility-trum/

I don’t want to fight but it’s clear that this is not settled law, but something that needs more clarity now.

Susan Carlson's piece is a joke. I know that you don't know me, or my background and experience, but her piece is a gross misrepresentation of the case. I also note that you appear unwilling to read the relevant authorities. I don't know why you take that approach, and instead rely on others tell you want to think, but that's not my problem.

-- Additionally, Mr. Bellei never fulfilled the residency clause, while Mr. Cruz did. --

The residency clause doesn't play any more. But when it did, citizenship could be stripped by the same statute that gave it. This happened to Bellei, his citizenship was stripped from him. He sued to get it back. He lost, all the way to SCOTUS. Do you think natural born citizenship can (constitutionally) be stripped by an act of Congress?

With Cruz, the issue isn't whether the citizenship he has can be stripped. The issue is "what is the source of his claim to citizenship." If the source is a statute, he is not a natural born citizen, he is a naturalized citizen.

-- I don't want to fight but it's clear that this is not settled law --

100% of the cases on derived citizenship (citizenship by blood, not born in the US) say citizenship to a person not born a citizen of one of the several states is a naturalized citizen. The only way "this is not settled law" is that there has never been a case naming a president-elect.

I don't care if you are satisfied with the authorities cited. I don't care if you are wrong. I have no interest in arguing with you. I have nothing further to say to you.