Yeah, but neither the Kenyan nor Cruz had "them" as parents.
Tell it to any judge or legislator in America. If the word “two” was in front of the word parents perhaps you’d have a point.
Here’s an example from the current law (8 U.S.C. § 1401): “a person born outside of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents [plural] one of whom [singular] is a citizen of the United States who has been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for a continuous period of one year prior to the birth of such person, and the other of whom [singular] is a national, but not a citizen of the United States;”
The plural in this case refers to all of those whose birth situation falls under that category, it does not mean two parents in a specific case. The law specifies precisely when both or either parents must meet a criterion.
Here’s an example:
Child Born Out of Wedlock
Child of a U.S. Citizen Father
A child born outside of the United States and its outlying possessions acquires citizenship at birth if:
The provisions listed for a child born in wedlock apply to a child born out of wedlock outside of the United States claiming citizenship through a U.S. citizen father if:
•A blood relationship between the child and the father is established by clear and convincing evidence
•The child’s father was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth;
•The child’s father (unless deceased) has agreed in writing to provide financial support for the child until the child reaches 18 years of age;
•One of the following criteria is met before the child reaches 18 years of age:
•The child is legitimated under the law of his or her residence or domicile
•The father acknowledges in writing and under oath the paternity of the child;
•The paternity of the child is established by adjudication of a competent court.
In addition, the residence or physical presence requirements contained in the relevant paragraph of the Immigration and Nationality Act 301 continue to apply to children born out of wedlock claiming citizenship through their fathers.
Child of a U.S. Citizen Mother
A child born out of wedlock outside of the United States and its outlying possessions acquires citizenship at birth if:
•The child was born after December 23, 1952;
•The child’s mother was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child’s birth; and
•The child’s U.S. citizen mother was physically present in the United States or outlying possession for one continuous year prior to the child’s birth.