FWIW Rafael Cruz not only had his life here, but the business he owned that took him to Calgary was in Austin Texas. There are those who would argue that the Republic of Texas is not really in the United States, but most of us Native Texans, if pressed, will reluctantly that admit that the Republic of Texas may actually be a member of the Union.
Yes. By the 1790’s law, it is arguable that even Rafael Cruz was a US citizen able to pass along US citizenship to his children. I’m betting a good lawyer could demonstrate, by using the processes current in the 1790s about swearing to any magistrate anyplace on the frontier after 2 years of residing in a state, that Cruz Sr. had appeared and indicated his intent.