RALEIGH —  Gov. Pat McCrory says he supports issuing distinctively marked drivers licenses to some illegal immigrants.

McCrory told The Associated Press on Monday he signed off on what he called the "pragmatic compromise" unveiled earlier this month by his transportation secretary to issue licenses to young adults in the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The Obama administration initiative grants valid federal work permits to qualified applicants brought to the United States without legal authorization when they were children.

McCrory declined to say what he thought of the proposed design for the licenses, which includes a bright pink stripe and the words "NO LAWFUL STATUS" in bold. But McCrory said the licenses must be clearly marked to prevent the bearer from accessing government services or registering to vote.