FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kristen McDougal, Director of Communication & Outreach
Kristen.McDougal@theacru.org

Shenandoah County Sheriff Honored with Defender Award for Outstanding Commitment to Upholding the Rule of Law and Protecting Citizens

Shenandoah County, VA – July 14, 2025 – The American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU) has recognized Sheriff Timothy Carter, Shenandoah County, Virginia, 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 presents Sheriff Timothy Carter with the Defender Award.

ACRU Executive Director Lt. Col. Allen West presented the award to Sheriff Carter on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office in Woodstock, VA. The Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office participates in the Task Force Model of the 287(g) Program.

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.”

“Sheriff Carter 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.”

“I am thankful and very humbled to receive this recognition from the American Constitutional Rights Union, as they also are committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of our citizens.  We have entered into a relationship with ICE by partnering in the 287(g) initiative to address crimes committed by those who are in the United States illegally,” said Sheriff Carter

For more information about the Defender Initiative and the American Constitutional Rights Union, visit theacru.org/defenders.
American Constitutional Rights Union is a non-partisan, non-profit public policy organization dedicated to defending all Americans’ constitutionally protected civil rights.

Questions:
Direct questions to Kristen McDougal, Kristen.McDougal@theacru.org

Shenandoah County Sheriff Timothy Carter talks with LTC (ret.) Allen West about the 2025 ICE 287 (g) program.