SACRAMENTO, Calif. –  Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants could get California driver's licenses if a bill headed to Gov. Jerry Brown becomes law.

The state Assembly Thursday approved a bill that would allow the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue licenses to illegal immigrants eligible for work permits under a new Obama administration policy.

The landmark bill would allow immigrants to use documents they received through the federal program as proof of legal residence at the DMV.

Democratic Assemblyman Gil Cedillo of Los Angeles said he wrote AB2189 to make roads safer, and allow young immigrants to drive to school and to work.

Several Republicans supported the bill, but others in the party spoke against it, saying the state should leave immigration issues to the federal government.