The Defenders Initiative recognizes law enforcement agencies honoring their constitutional oath to protect and to serve by working cooperatively with ICE to identify, process, and detain dangerous immigration offenders per Section 287(g).
Likewise, we expose oath breakers refusing to cooperate with this critical mission, directly undermining American citizens’ rights to safety and security!
Tell us who is honoring their oath to uphold the law and working collaboratively with ICE to identify, process, and detain criminal illegal aliens per Section 287(g) so they may receive the recognition they deserve!
“The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) — authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight.
“The 287(g) Program enhances the safety and security of our nation’s communities by allowing ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and remove criminal aliens who are amenable to removal from the U.S.” (ICE.gov)
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations operates three 287(g) models:
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ACRU salutes and thanks law enforcement agencies who are stepping up to defend our constitution… and our borders. We recognize patriotic agencies with the American Constitutional Rights Union Defender Award.
ACRU Honors Sheriff Brad Coe of Kinney County, Texas with Constitutional Defender Award
“Sheriff Coe exemplifies what it means to be a true defender of the law,” said Col. Allen West, Executive Director of ACRU. “This award acknowledges his leadership and dedication to preserving American citizens’ rights to safety and security through their partnership with the 287(g) program. All law enforcement agencies should take note and follow his lead to fully embrace the authorization afforded to designated officers through these models. Well done.”
ACRU Presents Defender Award to Sheriff DuWayne Castro, Sutton County, Texas
The American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU) has recognized Sheriff DuWayne Castro, Sutton County, Texas, as the recipient of ACRU’s prestigious Defender Award. This honor is awarded to law enforcement leaders who honor their constitutional oath to protect and to serve by working cooperatively with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to protect legal, law-abiding citizens from criminal illegal aliens.
ACRU Defender Award Presented to Kerr County, Texas Sheriff Larry L. Leitha
The American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU) has recognized Sheriff Larry L. Leitha, Kerr County, Texas, as the recipient of ACRU’s prestigious Defender Award. This honor is awarded to law enforcement leaders who honor their constitutional oath to protect and to serve by working cooperatively with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to protect legal, law-abiding citizens from criminal illegal aliens.
Nueces County Sheriff Honored with Defender Award for Outstanding Commitment to Upholding the Rule of Law and Protecting Citizens
The American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU) has recognized Sheriff JC Hooper, Nueces County, Texas, as the recipient of ACRU’s prestigious Defender Award. This honor is awarded to law enforcement leaders who honor their constitutional oath to protect and to serve by working cooperatively with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to protect legal, law-abiding citizens from criminal illegal aliens.
Chief Miguel Cruz Cantu, City of Nixon, Honored with Defender Award
The American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU) has recognized Chief Miguel Cruz Cantu, City of Nixon, as the recipient of ACRU’s prestigious Defender Award. This honor is awarded to law enforcement leaders who honor their constitutional oath to protect and to serve by working cooperatively with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to protect legal, law-abiding citizens from criminal illegal aliens. ACRU Executive Director Lt. Col. Allen West presented the award to Chief Miguel Cruz Cantu alongside Mayor Ellie Dominquez at Nixon City Hall on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Nixon is the only municipality in the nation to partner with ICE through both the Task Force Model and the Warrant Service Officer Model.
Constitutional Defenders
Many politicians and law enforcement leaders are upholding and defending our Constitution. Be sure to thank yours if they are keeping America safe!
Sheriff Jason Mikesell, Teller County, Colorado Receives ACRU Defender Award
Sheriff Jason Mikesell, Teller County, Colorado, Honored with Defender Award for Outstanding Commitment to Upholding the Rule of Law and Protecting Citizens
The American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU) has recognized Sheriff Jason Mikesell, Teller County, Colorado, as the recipient of ACRU’s prestigious Defender Award. This honor is awarded to law enforcement leaders who honor their constitutional oath to protect and to serve by working cooperatively with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to protect legal, law-abiding citizens from criminal illegal aliens.
According to ICE: “The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added Section 287(g) to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) — authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight…The 287(g) Program enhances the safety and security of our nation’s communities by allowing ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) to partner with state and local law enforcement.”
“This law enforcement agency exemplifies what it means to be a true defender of the law,” said Col. Allen West, Executive Director of ACRU. “This award acknowledges their leadership and dedication to preserving American citizens’ rights to safety and security through their partnership with the 287(g) program. All law enforcement agencies should take note and follow this lead to fully embrace the authorization afforded to designated officers through these models. Well done.”
For more information about the Defender Initiative and the American Constitutional Rights Union, visit theacru.org/defenders.
INTERVIEW: Sheriffs Awarded for Enforcing Federal Immigration Laws, Resisting Leftist Pressure Groups
In an exclusive interview, Lt. Col. Allen West tells Restoration News that elected sheriffs who partner with federal agents to enforce immigration laws deserve recognition for upholding their oath to the U.S. Constitution while resisting leftist ideologues. Col. West now serves as the executive director of American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU), which works as a counterbalance to the extreme leftist ACLU.
Grady Judd, Florida sheriffs crack down on illegal immigration: ‘The game has changed’
Three programs under 287g will allow deputies and corrections officers at jails in Florida to undergo training and be certified to serve warrants, make probable cause arrests and take part in street task forces.
40 Tren de Aragua Gang Members Nabbed in Texas Capital City Raid
A law enforcement operation conducted in the Austin metro area resulted in the arrest of more than 40 members and associates of the violent Venezuelan Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang.
Source: 40 Tren de Aragua Gang Members Nabbed in Texas Capital City Raid
ICE Washington, D.C. investigation results in 14-year prison sentence for Jamaican national drug trafficking case
An investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; along with the Virginia State Police; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, led to the sentencing of Jamaican national Kirkville Virgo, 47, March 28, to 14 years in prison for attempting to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Oath Breakers
Some in the law enforcement community are putting politics over security by refusing to follow the Constitution.
ACRU Demands Dallas Chief of Police Daniel Comeaux to Uphold the Rule of Law
Texas Attorney General Ken Paston opens investigation into Sanctuary City policies that violate state law and endanger the citizens of Dallas.
ACRU Calls on Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Lawerence District Court to Uphold Their Oaths
The Lawrence District Court continues to refuse to honor the ICE detainer and release illegal criminal aliens into the community such as an Ecuadoran national charged with more than 20 sex crimes against a minor and a Guatemalan national charged with child rape.
ACRU Calls on Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano and Sheriff Stacey A. Kincaid to Honor Their Oaths
“Marvin Mateo-Alberto stands accused of some very appalling and disturbing crimes and represents a threat to the children of our Virginia communities,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. Field Office Director Russell Hott. An immigration detainer was lodged against Mateo-Alberto with the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center; yet the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center did not honor the ICE detainer and released Mateo-Alberto into the community. Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano dropped a felony charge against a criminal illegal alien charged with strangulation and kidnapping.
Washington state sues Adams County to stop illegal federal immigration enforcement
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in a lawsuit filed today that the Adams County Sheriff’s Office is illegally collaborating with federal immigration officials and aiding the Trump administration’s efforts to enlist local officials for federal civil immigration work.
Trump’s ICE Agents Take More Criminal Aliens Off Streets, Despite Sanctuary City Protections
Despite the lack of cooperation from state and local law enforcement officials, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and officers took hundreds of criminal aliens off the streets of Massachusetts in recent weeks.
What’s Going On in Your State?
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“And so is the situation in America where we find law enforcement agencies playing politics with our safety and deciding that they will not enforce immigration law. This has been going on for far too long, and this assertion of being a “sanctuary” state or city is unlawful.”
LTC Allen West, Executive Director
News
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Release of criminal illegal immigrants rushed under Biden, 25,000 in last 2 years
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