The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Tuesday rejected California’s proposed design for driver’s licenses to be issued to unauthorized immigrants, ruling that the state’s subtle identifying features must be made much more obvious.

The decision, if it stands, will force state officials to revisit how prominent to make the distinguishing marks on licenses — one of the most controversial provisions of an already divisive new law.

Assemblyman Luis Alejo, a Watsonville Democrat who carried the driver’s license legislation last year, immediately called on Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to overrule his department’s findings. Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, has filed a similar plea.

In a letter to the state Department of Motor Vehicles, Homeland Security said a license must clearly state on the front that it cannot be used for official federal purposes. Licenses also must include a unique design or color to distinguish it from others issued to those drivers here legally.

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