A Ferris State University professor is no longer with the school after facing serious legal issues. Sumith Gunasekera, who taught marketing, was placed on administrative leave following his arrest on November 12 in Detroit. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) claims he is an undocumented immigrant from Sri Lanka and is listed as a sex offender.
After his arrest, Ferris State immediately put Gunasekera on leave. A spokesperson, Dave Murray, confirmed that he is no longer with the university but declined to share more details about the situation.
Gunasekera first arrived in the U.S. in February 1998. According to ICE, he then traveled to Canada and returned to the U.S. on a student visa. Over the years, he allegedly tried to exploit the immigration system despite having a criminal record that barred him from legal residency. The Department of Homeland Security detailed this in a recent statement, emphasizing that he faced multiple rejections for legal status.
One major conviction occurred in 1998 in Ontario, Canada, where he was found guilty of sexual interference with a minor. He received a month in jail and a year of probation. Additionally, he faced a disorderly conduct charge in Las Vegas in 2004.
These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about immigration systems and their efficiency in handling cases involving criminal backgrounds. Experts in immigration law often emphasize the need for more stringent checks to prevent individuals with serious offenses from navigating loopholes in the system.
In today’s climate, around 27% of Americans express concern about immigration and crime, according to recent surveys. This situation adds to ongoing discussions about how educational institutions handle faculty with troubled backgrounds, underlining the importance of background checks.
While specifics about Gunasekera’s future remain uncertain, this case raises broader questions about safety and accountability in schools across the nation. It serves as a reminder that new policies and reforms may be necessary to protect communities.
For more on immigration policies and statistics, you can refer to information from the Department of Homeland Security.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Ferris State University, Michigan
