SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- On Monday, a group launched a fierce fight to overturn a law signed by Gov. Gray Davis Friday that will allow millions of illegal immigrants in California the option to be able to apply for driver's licenses.

Under the law, starting in January, an immigrant just needs to come to the Department of Motor Vehicles with a tax-identification number, a birth certificate and a photo ID to apply for a California driver's license.

"These hard-working immigrants pay taxes, and they deserve the right to drive to work," Davis said.

Republicans are trying to throw up a roadblock to stop the law in its tracks.

"It's ironic that while other states are tightening up on their requirements in the wake of Sept. 11, California is moving in the opposite direction," Republican and gubernatorial recall election candidate Tom McClintock said.

On Monday, a group called "Save Our License" formally announced it is seeking a referendum vote to overturn Senate Bill 60, which was the genesis for the new law.

Republicans argue that all the documents needed to gain the driver's license are far too easy to fake.

"Right now, you can go on the Web and get one within 10 minutes, and a 800 number within 10 minutes, with no background check and no proof that it's accurate," California Republican Assembly spokesman Mike Spence said.

Opponents of the law said it will weaken the validity of a California driver's license held by millions of legal citizens.

"I think at some point, airlines and other states are not going to accept California driver's licenses because they won't be able to trust whether or not it was issued properly," Spence said.

Those supporting the law said all the fighting is sending the wrong message to a hard-working minority.

"They are working and paying taxes. And when you send a message out that Latinos are not good people, you send a message to Republicans that might act on them," California Democratic Party Spokesman Bob Mulholland said.