Senator Cruz may have to wait eight months to stop being Canadian

reuters.com ^ | 8 20 13 | David Ljunggren

[BarnacleCenturion]

OTTAWA - U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who says he recently discovered he is likely a Canadian, must win security clearance from Canada's spy agency, fill out a four-page form and then wait up to eight months to sever his ties to America's northern neighbor.

Cruz, a Texas Republican who has fueled speculation that he may run for president in 2016, was born in Canada, which automatically makes him a citizen. On Monday he offered to renounce that citizenship. ...

People giving up Canadian citizenship must prove they are or will become a citizen of another country, do not live in Canada and are not a security threat. They must also explain in writing why they do not want to be a Canadian anymore.

A nonrefundable C$100 ($96) fee is payable in advance.

"It's very, very uncommon ... . I've been practicing 26 years and I don't think I've ever seen anybody renounce it," said Guidy Mamann, an immigration lawyer with Toronto law firm Mamann, Sandaluk & Kingwell.

[Blackyce]

Just for show. I think he should just leave it be. May come in handy if we can’t get our act together down here.

[deport]

If he has American citizenship, why does he think its necessary to renounce his Canadian citizenship?

*************

Cruz in his own words from the linked article.

snip
“Nothing against Canada, but I’m an American by birth and as a U.S. senator, I believe I should
be only an American,” Cruz, a U.S. citizen who grew up in Houston, said in a statement.
end snip

[MOgirl]

Hello,

So my question is: Can we avoid the traps of the past? It is well past time to be fickle....time is running short.

MOgirl

[Paladin2]

Did 0bama renounce HIS purported Canadian Birth?

[kabumpo]

My friend, born there of American parents in 1948, has dual citizenship.

[Paladin2]

"Chester Eh Arthur"

LOL

(you hoser)

[PauldArco]

I’m missing something. If he has American citizenship, why does he think its necessary to renounce his Canadian citizenship?

I think it is a good idea not to have divided loyalties. What is the purpose of dual citizenship anyway? So that one has more "options"? Anyone who wants to be POTUS should be unambiguously, 100% American.

[RegulatorCountry]

1947, actually. Prior to this there were no Canadian citizens, we were all British Subjects. IIRC In 1977 the law was changed so that we are no longer British Subjects.

Another Presidential aspirant who is a natural-born British subject? What are the odds?

[kabumpo]

You can’t renounce birth. Birth is a fact, something that happens.

[justlurking]

Arthur was born in Vermont.

However, his father was a Canadian (or Irish?) citizen when Arthur was born. He has not yet become a US citizen.

[napscoordinator]

I think it is a good idea not to have divided loyalties.

I wish he would have done this awhile back instead of strictly for political purposes. I think this is a bad sign that he will do anything to become President. He is too young anyway. We have had enough babies (three of them in a row) as President....Enough. Let’s get somebody around 65-69 age range. Certainly there has to be some conservatives in that age range somewhere. Plus Cruz is only ONE year younger than I am.....although he does look like he is in his late 50’s when in fact he is 43 or soon to be.

[BfloGuy]

Senator Cruz may have to wait eight months to stop being Canadian

Election's 39 months away. No problem. Smart move.

[madison10]

Why sever ties?

[Erik Latranyi]

So my question is: Can we avoid the traps of the past? It is well past time to be fickle....time is running short.

I don't think so.

We ended up with McCain and Romney because conservatives could not coalesce around a single candidate.

I see the same now happening with Cruz, Rubio and Paul....where conservatives nitpick the candidate to death.

I truly feel conservatives are their own worst enemies.....and everyone else knows how to exploit it.

[Tennessee Nana]

1947, actually. Prior to this there were no Canadian citizens, we were all British Subjects
________________________________________

In New Zealand it was about a year later...

I was born British in Dec 1948

One month later in Jan 1949 my mother had my birth registered and lo and behold

I was given a New Zealand birth certificate..

Years later though when I applied for a New Zealand passport I was told I could also get a British passport because of my birth date...prior to Jan 1948...

I didnt understand the significance at the time and thought it very odd and opted for the NZ passport...

Did I have dual citizenship ??

I dont know..

[Theoria]

Cruz. Canadian, Cuban, and Commonwealth Subject? Correct?

We do live in interesting times.

Obama questionable citizenship.

McCain, born outside the US.

Romney, father was born in Mexico.

Rubio, born in the US, parents from Cuba.

Jindal, born in the US, parents from India.

[RegulatorCountry]

You’d think we were just plumb out of US citizens born in the United States to citizen parents, wouldn’t you? Again, what are the odds?

[JCBreckenridge]

“In my opinion, Cruz is a natural born citizen”

That and a 4.50 will get you a cup at starbucks.

[JCBreckenridge]

You’re incorrect on this. Canada has had birthright citizenship since about 1945. What has changed is the status vs the United Kingdom, and the status of those grandfathered before 1945 who wished to keep their British citizenship.

[JCBreckenridge]

McCain was born in the United States.