AUSTIN, Texas - Canadian-born U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has yet to renounce his Canadian citizenship as promised, but looks forward to the process being completed soon, his spokesman said Saturday.

Catherine Frazier said lawyers are preparing the paperwork for the Tea Party Republican from Texas.

She said Cruz, who was born in Calgary, Alberta, “has been fully focused on fighting for Texans’ values and interests” and that he “looks forward to the process being completed soon.”

Cruz took office just last year, but already is being mentioned as a possible Republican presidential contender in 2016. Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta, in 1970, while his parents were working in the Canadian oil business. His mother, Eleanor, was born in Delaware, while his father, Rafael, is a Cuban who didn’t become a U.S. citizen until 2005.

The U.S. Constitution says only a “natural born Citizen” may be president. Legal scholars, though, generally agree the description covers foreign-born children of U.S. parents. Canada, like the United States, gives automatic citizenship to anyone born on its soil.

Amid questions about his eligibility, Cruz released his birth certificate in August. He also pledged to renounce his Canadian citizenship. Frazier made Saturday’s statement after a Canadian immigration attorney said the process was simple and wondered about the delay.

Front Section, Pages 6 on 01/05/2014