A proposed bill being debated by Tennessee lawmakers this week would require every sheriff in Tennessee to work with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and enter a 287(g) agreement with the agency.

The measure comes amid a slate of bills from Tennessee Republicans to slow down or stop illegal immigration.

“If you’re a legal immigrant or a citizen, you’re welcome in Tennessee, but if you’re an illegal immigrant, you’re simply not welcome here,” State Representative William Lamberth (R-Cottontown) said. “You’re going to see several bills that are filed by a lot of my colleagues to make sure Tennessee strengthens our laws to make sure that we are insistent that you come here legally, not illegally.”

The bill would require departments to join the agreement or risk losing state funding. Dozens already have an agreement, mainly to serve immigration warrants to people already in jail.