Twenty-two states led by Democrats, along with the District of Columbia and San Francisco, have initiated lawsuits in federal courts in Boston and Seattle opposing U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order that aims to limit birthright citizenship.

Signed on his first day as president, the order intends to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents who are neither U.S. citizens nor legal permanent residents.

The lawsuits claim the order breaches the U.S. Constitution, particularly the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause, which ensures citizenship for anyone born on U.S. soil.

The cases also refer to the 1898 U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which upheld birthright citizenship for children of non-citizen parents.

The plaintiffs contend that Trump's order would deprive over 150,000 children yearly of their citizenship rights, affecting their access to federal programs and, subsequently, their ability to work and vote.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell both stressed the importance of safeguarding constitutional rights in their statements.

In addition to these suits, the American Civil Liberties Union, immigrant rights advocates, and a pregnant woman have filed separate legal actions.

These lawsuits represent the first significant legal obstacle for Trump's administration, with more challenges to his immigration and other policies anticipated.

The legal battle over this executive order will be observed closely, especially considering the political composition of the appeals courts, such as the 1st and 9th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, which might affect the outcome.