It’s a conviction issue. Trump seems credible, he has the gravitas to potentially follow through on immigration measures that are more extreme than anyone’s. Deportation, pause on Muslim immigration. Will Ted do those things? Are are they “too hard”?
Trump is a natural borders & language guy even though he has lived a sheltered existence immigration wise.
Cruz has done little while he has seen the problems working in different capacities for 20 years in Texas.