If you want a cogent, smart explanation of what the Constitution says about birthright citizenship, here’s Ted Cruz, explaining it in 2011 from his point of view as a Supreme Court litigator:
So yes, birthright citizenship is in the Constitution, and the arguments that it isn’t are really, really weak, in his expert opinion.
Strictly speaking, this is not a contradiction of his new position in favor of abolishing birthright citizenship. (Update: Brian Phillips of the Cruz campaign makes a point that the position is not “new,” even if the desire to pursue the issue is. Perhaps the word I wanted to use instead is “current.”)
Cruz has not claimed, as Donald Trump has, that one could end birthright citizenship with anything short of a constitutional amendment. Still, take this as further evidence that running for president makes you say and do goofy things you wouldn’t say or do otherwise. Cruz is hardly alone in this regard.
