Immigrants Fret About License Design, Rules

LOS ANGELES — California officials are holding a hearing on what immigrants in the country illegally will need to apply for driver's license starting next year.

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Washington D.C. began accepting applications for "limited purpose" driver licenses from undocumented immigrants on May 1, 2014.

Courtesy: D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles

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Nevada began offering Driver Authorization Cards for undocumented immigrants in January 2014. The cards are valid for one year and can be renewed.

Courtesy: Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles

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Vermont allows undocumented immigrants to apply for a Driving Privilege Card. It's marked "Not for Federal Identification" on the front.

Courtesy: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles

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Illinois began offering "temporary visitor driver's licenses" to undocumented (non-visa status) immigrants in December 2013.

Illinois Secretary of State

The Department of Motor Vehicles will take public comment Tuesday in Los Angeles and at a second hearing Thursday in Oakland on the documents required to prove identity and state residency for the new licenses.

Immigrant advocates say they want to ensure applicants' personal information won't be shared with federal immigration agents. The immigrants say they are worried the license will look different after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the document should state on its face that it isn't for official federal purposes.

The National Immigration Law Center says 11 states have approved issuing a driver's license or card to immigrants in the country illegally.