What happens when immigration enforcement, university compliance, and public trust collide on a college campus? The recent firing of a Ferris State University professor after an ICE arrest has raised difficult questions and drawn attention far beyond Michigan. This is not just a local headline. It is a story that touches higher education oversight, background checks, and institutional responsibility in a highly charged national climate, and it invites readers to look deeper into how universities operate behind the scenes. ## How the Ferris State Case Unfolded Ferris State University confirmed in December 2025 that marketing professor Sumith Gunasekera was no longer employed by the institution. The decision came weeks after his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the Detroit area. At first, the university placed him on paid administrative leave while it conducted an internal review. Following that review, Ferris State stated that the professor had violated internal employment policies. The university pointed to false or misleading information provided during the hiring process and noted that he did not participate in a scheduled internal hearing connected to the investigation. ## The ICE Arrest and Immigration Context Federal authorities reported that Gunasekera entered the United States in the late 1990s on a student visa. According to the Department of Homeland Security, prior criminal convictions made him ineligible for lawful immigration status, and he allegedly remained in the country without authorization for many years. Once news of the ICE arrest became public, the case quickly escalated beyond campus. While Ferris State emphasized that the termination decision was grounded in policy violations, immigration status became central to public discussion and media coverage. ## Criminal History and Background Check Questions ICE and DHS statements referenced past convictions in Canada during the 1990s, along with later incidents in the United States involving disorderly conduct. These disclosures intensified scrutiny of Ferris State’s hiring practices and background check procedures. Public debate soon focused on how a public university could fail to identify such issues during recruitment. The situation prompted broader questions about due diligence, compliance standards, and the limits of institutional screening processes in higher education. ## Why This Matters Beyond Ferris State Analysis published by Meyka framed the incident as a broader compliance and risk management issue for universities. Institutions that employ international faculty must navigate complex immigration laws while maintaining consistent vetting standards. A single enforcement action can expose gaps in compliance and create reputational, operational, and legal challenges. The Ferris State case now serves as a reference point in discussions about institutional accountability, immigration compliance, and transparency within academia. For students, parents, and faculty, it highlights how individual cases can reveal systemic weaknesses. ## Public Reaction and Ongoing Debate Reaction from the community and beyond has been divided. Some argue the firing was necessary to protect institutional integrity. Others believe the case underscores failures in administrative oversight rather than focusing solely on the individual involved. What remains clear is that Ferris State’s response will likely influence how other universities reassess hiring policies, background checks, and immigration compliance procedures going forward. --- ### Why was the Ferris State professor fired? Ferris State stated that the termination was based on violations of internal employment policies, including providing false or misleading information during the hiring process and failing to participate in a formal internal hearing. ### Was the firing directly caused by the ICE arrest? The university said the arrest itself was not the sole reason for termination. However, information revealed after the ICE arrest played a key role in triggering the internal investigation. ### Who is Sumith Gunasekera? He was an associate professor of marketing at Ferris State University who was employed by the institution prior to his arrest by ICE in November 2025. ### What role did immigration status play? Federal authorities stated that Gunasekera lacked legal authorization to remain in the United States and that prior convictions made him ineligible for lawful immigration status. ### How does this affect other universities? The case has renewed attention on background checks, immigration compliance, and hiring practices across higher education, particularly for institutions employing international faculty and staff. ## Sources [https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/01/what-to-know-about-ferris-state-professors-firing-after-arrest-by-ice.html](https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/01/what-to-know-about-ferris-state-professors-firing-after-arrest-by-ice.html) [https://woodradio.iheart.com/featured/wood-radio-local-news/content/2026-01-02-ferris-state-university-professor-fired/](https://woodradio.iheart.com/featured/wood-radio-local-news/content/2026-01-02-ferris-state-university-professor-fired/) [https://meyka.com/blog/ferris-state-today-january-02-ice-arrest-leads-to-professor-firing-0301/](https://meyka.com/blog/ferris-state-today-january-02-ice-arrest-leads-to-professor-firing-0301/)