A number of Boston City Council members are supporting a home-rule petition that would allow non-citizens with "legal status" to vote in municipal elections. The petition was introduced by Councilor Julia Mejia, who believes it is an extension of the progressive legacy laid out by former councilor Kendra Lara and others. This comes as the Trump administration continues to escalate its mass deportation campaign and increase in anti-immigrant rhetoric. Non-citizens are prohibited from voting in federal elections. However, three states, Vermont, Maryland, and California, contain municipalities where non-citizen can vote in certain local elections.