Dual citizenship may pose problem if Ted Cruz seeks presidency
Todd J. Gillman | The Dallas Morning News
Aug 18, 2013
http://bit.ly/1WZ2ElQ

[snip]

Automatic citizenship

Until 1947, people born in Canada were British subjects. The system Canada adopted after that closely mirrors that of the U.S.

Both confer citizenship automatically to anyone born on their territory, and to children of citizens even when the birth takes place overseas.

By 1970, the Cruzes had moved to the Canadian oil patch, where they launched a seismic-data business. For purpose of citizenship, being foreigners made no difference.

“If a child was born in the territory, he is Canadian, period,” said France Houle, a law professor at the University of Montreal. “He can ask for a passport. He can vote.”

The fact that Cruz left Canada when he was 4 doesn’t affect his status there, either.

“If you leave when you’re 2 minutes old, you’re still an American. It’s the same in Canada,” said Allison Christians, a law professor at McGill University in Montreal. “He’s a Canadian citizen.”

Having practiced international tax law in the U.S. for 25 years, Christians has made a close study of citizenship rules. They often come into play in tax cases.

“They can feel as American as they want. But the question of citizenship is determined by the law of the territory in which you were physically born,” she said. “It’s not up to the Cruz family to decide whether they’re citizens.”