OKLAHOMA (KTEN) — Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is calling on legislators to pass a measure this session that would give state law enforcement agencies the authority to arrest undocumented immigrants. 

"What it boils down to for us in law enforcement is protection of our citizens and our communities," said Johnston County Sheriff Gary Dodd. 

Last week, Drummond released a statement encouraging lawmakers to take action:

"Oklahoma state, county and local law enforcement know all too well the impact of the nation's porous border. The Biden Administration has failed to secure our border, leaving us to suffer the consequences."

"You're seeing an increase in drug activity coming across the border because it's wide open," Dodd said. "Methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and especially fentanyl... our fentanyl deaths here in Oklahoma are at an all-time high."

This push for legislation mirrors Texas Senate Bill 4, which Gov. Greg Abbot signed into law last year. But enforcement of that legislation has been stalled in the courts.

Dodd supports the Texas law, but said funding needs to be at the forefront of the conversation for any proposed bill.

"Where do you take them? Well, you take them to the county jail," the sheriff said. "Right now, if someone is arrested and put in this jail, then the taxpayers are on the hook for that, so is this going to be a reimbursement from the state if we're picking up illegal immigrants in hopes that they are deported."

An Oklahoma bill has not been filed, but Drummond said, "If the federal government won't do its job, then it's imperative that Oklahoma be allowed to protect its citizens."