The Brief An immigration judge has ordered former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil deported to Syria or Algeria, ruling that he failed to disclose certain information on his green card application, according to documents filed Wednesday in federal court by his lawyers. An immigration judge has ordered former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil deported to Syria or Algeria, ruling that he failed to disclose certain information on his green card application, according to documents filed Wednesday in federal court by his lawyers. Who is Mahmoud Khalil? While in detention, Khalil finished coursework for a master’s degree at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs. Yet the Trump administration has continued pressing for his removal.