President Donald Trump's administration faced multiple legal setbacks on Wednesday, as three federal court rulings blocked significant elements of his immigration and trade policies.

Within hours, judges issued decisions preventing the suspension of Biden-era migrant parole programs, blocking global tariffs and halting the deportation of a pro-Palestine activist on constitutional grounds.

The judicial decisions collectively represent a major legal roadblock for Trump's administration, affecting policies that have defined his approach to immigration, trade and executive power.

Trump Blocked From Halting Migrant 'Parole' Programs

District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston ordered the Trump administration to resume considering applications for work permits and immigration relief from migrants living in the U.S. under "parole" status.

The programs, created during Joe Biden's presidency, grant temporary stays of typically two years to migrants from Afghanistan, Ukraine and Latin America, including Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans.

On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order to end these programs. Benjamine Huffman, then the acting secretary of Homeland Security, instructed a pause and modification to parole policies, saying such programs were not authorized by law unless decided on a case-by-case basis.

Talwani, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, ruled that suspending parole status required a formal process and was not at the administration's discretion.

The ruling provides relief for thousands of migrants seeking to remain in the U.S. or adjust their status in the country.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Newsweek: "The Biden Administration abused the parole authority to allow millions of illegal aliens into the U.S. which further fueled the worst border crisis in U.S. history.

"Under federal law, [Homeland Security] Secretary [Kristi] Noem—in support of the President—has full authority to cancel or modify these policies. Doing so is a promise kept to the American people to secure our borders and protect our national security. We have the law, the facts, and common sense on our side."

Court Finds Deportation of Mahmoud Khalil Unconstitutional

Federal Judge Michael Farbiarz in New Jersey ruled that the Trump administration's efforts to deport Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil are likely unconstitutional.

Khalil, a green card holder, is currently in ICE detention in Louisiana, pending further court hearings challenging his potential deportation. He has been accused by the White House of activities aligned with Hamas, though he is yet to be charged with a crime.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio targeted Khalil using Section 1227 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This is a provision in federal law allowing the U.S. to deport someone whose "presence or activities... would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences."

Farbiarz wrote that it was never explained how Khalil's actions "affected U.S. relations with any other country," and said using this provision to deport him would be "unconstitutionally vague."

But Farbiarz, an appointee of President Joe Biden, did not order Khalil's release and instead asked for further legal arguments from his team. The judge said he wanted more information about certain issues, including the government's claim that Khalil did not disclose his membership in several organizations in his green card application.

Khalil's lawyers said in response to the ruling on Wednesday: "The district court held what we already knew: Secretary Rubio's weaponization of immigration law to punish Mahmoud and others like him is likely unconstitutional."

Newsweek has contacted the State Department outside of regular working hours for comment.

Trade Court Blocks Trump's Sweeping Global Tariffs

The U.S. Court of International Trade also unanimously blocked Trump's attempt to impose sweeping tariffs on almost all goods from abroad under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The court determined that the act did not grant the president "unbounded authority" to levy global tariffs, ruling in favor of states and business groups that had challenged the measures.

The panel of three, including one judge appointed by Trump, said that only Congress could authorize such broad trade actions.

The White House criticized the decision, saying in a statement: "It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency."

A spokesperson told Newsweek: "President Trump pledged to put America First, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness."

What Happens Next

The Trump administration has appealed the tariffs court ruling, and petitioned the Supreme Court to stay the block on suspending the parole program.

Khalil's lawyers said they "would work as quickly as possible to provide the court the additional information it requested supporting our effort to free Mahmoud or otherwise return him to his wife and newborn son."

Update and correction 5/29/25, 11:25 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with comment from Tricia McLaughlin, additional information and context, and to correct a spelling of Mahmoud Khalil and Barack Obama.