Nixon police Chief Mike Cantu receives ‘Defender Award’

CHELSEY LYNETTE/Contributor

Accompanied by Nixon Mayor Ellie Dominguez (l-r), Lt. Col. Allen West, executive director of the American Constitutional Rights Union (center), presents the organization’s Defender Award May 15 to Nixon Police Chief Miguel “Mike” Cruz Cantu at a ceremony in Nixon City Hall. 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 through their partnership with the 287(g) program. Cantu, said West, “exemplifies what it means to be a true defender of the law. … All law-enforcement agencies should … follow his lead to fully embrace the authorization afforded to designated officers through these models. Well done.” Cantu said the honor belongs collectively to his department, which is “committed to serving with integrity, vigilance, and dedication.”