A Ferris State University professor who allegedly was living in the United States without legal status has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the university has now confirmed he is no longer employed. Federal authorities say the man also has a criminal history involving sex offenses and immigration abuse.
ICE officers arrested Sumith Gunasekera, an associate professor at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, in Detroit on November 12, 2025, charging him as a criminal illegal alien and sex offender, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) release. University officials initially placed Gunasekera on administrative leave after learning of the arrest. A subsequent statement from the university confirmed that Gunasekera is no longer employed by Ferris State University.
According to ICE, Gunasekera first entered the United States in February 1998. He later traveled to Canada and reentered the U.S. on a student visa. Federal authorities say that over the following years, Gunasekera repeatedly attempted to remain in the country by filing applications and appeals despite being ineligible under immigration law due to prior criminal convictions.
One of the convictions cited by ICE occurred in Ontario, Canada, where Gunasekera was found guilty in November 1998 of sexual interference with a minor and uttering threats to cause death or great bodily harm. Court records show he received a one-month jail sentence followed by one year of probation. ICE officials state these convictions alone made him inadmissible under U.S. immigration law.
Additional records indicate Gunasekera was also convicted of disorderly conduct in Nevada, further complicating his immigration status. Federal law bars individuals with certain criminal convictions from obtaining lawful permanent status or remaining in the country, and ICE has emphasized that this case falls squarely within its enforcement priorities.
Ferris State University initially declined to discuss details of Gunasekera’s employment status, citing personnel policies. The university later confirmed his separation from employment but did not explain what background checks were conducted at the time of his hiring. Administrators have also declined to say whether they were aware of his immigration or criminal history prior to ICE’s intervention.
The arrest has renewed scrutiny of immigration enforcement on college campuses and raised questions about how public universities verify the legal status and backgrounds of foreign-born faculty. Critics argue that lax oversight can place students and staff at risk and undermine confidence in higher education institutions.
Gunasekera remains in ICE custody as immigration proceedings continue. DHS has not released a timeline for removal but confirmed the case is ongoing.
