This is basically a confirmation and reiteration of what I've already written. Cruz does not state he opposes legalization. He simply opposes the "pathway to citizenship," which is how he defines amnesty. Legal status for Cruz is not amnesty. The "conversation" to be had after he is elected, which I mentioned, is Cruz's way of avoiding any conversation that will piss off the base. The fact that Cruz doesn't consider granting legal status to be amnesty demonstrates that Cruz's position is unchanged from 2013, where he stated that legal status to bring illegals "out of the shadows" is his ideal for "common sense" immigration reform.
Cruz is deceptive when he claims he supports Donald Trump on immigration, but then refuses to discuss deportation, nor is he honest about his own support for the Gang of Eight Post-Amendment bill.
Here's Cruz referring to legalization as amnesty and he opposses it...
"I think it would be a mistake if House Republicans were to support amnesty for those here illegally," he said when asked about the proposal to be outlined in the House GOP's immigration principles.
Other Republicans in the House who support the plan have gone to great lengths to push back on the idea that granting legal status would be amnesty.