Calif. to grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants

Amy Taxin | Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill adding California to a growing list of states that will grant driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally.

Brown signed the legislation at a Los Angeles City Hall ceremony Thursday morning.

Immigrant advocates have long lobbied for the change in California so immigrants in the country illegally can drive without fear of being pulled over for a ticket, which could wind up getting them deported.

The new licenses will not be considered valid federal identification and will be marked differently from other licenses.

The licenses are expected to be issued starting Jan. 1, 2015.