Ferris State University has terminated Sumith Gunasekera, a marketing professor, following his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on November 12 in Detroit. Gunasekera was dismissed on December 11 for violating university policy by providing false information on his employment application.
Gunasekera's arrest stemmed from his criminal history in Canada during the late 1990s. According to the Detroit News, he was convicted in 1998 for making death threats and sexual interference involving a minor. He served one month in jail and one year of probation. Additionally, in 2003, he was arrested in Las Vegas for gross lewdness and later convicted of disorderly conduct.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Gunasekera entered the U.S. in 1998 and later returned on a student visa, despite his Canadian convictions making him ineligible for legal status in the U.S. He remains in ICE custody pending further immigration proceedings.
Ferris State University placed Gunasekera on administrative leave upon learning of the accusations. The university declined to comment further on the personnel matter, citing its sensitivity. Gunasekera was listed as the director of the university's Data Analytics Consulting and Research Center.
The case has raised concerns about background checks in academic institutions, as it was unclear if Ferris State conducted one before hiring Gunasekera. The situation underscores the importance of thorough vetting processes to ensure the safety and integrity of educational environments.