“A citizen whose citizenship is dependent on statute is a naturalized citizen.”
A Citizen of the United States At Birth is NOT a naturalized citizen. If a person qualifies for that status, they are also a natural born citizen.
Citizenship statutes in the U.S. Code of Laws further define and illuminate the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment. There is no definition of natural born citizen in the Constitution. We are reliant on statutory law and case law for that definition.
The law, 8 C.F.R. § 301(g), is a naturalization law that designates a class of persons citizens at birth. Cruz is a member of this class.
Naturalization statute may assign citizenship at any point. It may be at birth; or upon the naturalization of the parent(s); or, for those after 18 years of age, upon completion of a process.
For example:
8 C.F.R. § 301-309 “Nationality at Birth and by Collective Naturalization” collectively naturalizes classes of persons and assigns citizenship at birth.
8 C.F.R. § 310-348 “Nationality Through Naturalization” defines classes of persons who are eligible and a process by which eligible individuals naturalize.