ICE Detroit Arrests Criminal Illegal Alien with History of Sex Crimes Working as College Professor

 

His criminal history includes sexual interference with a minor, gross lewdness, uttering death threats, invitation to sexual touching, and disorderly conduct

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) law enforcement officers arrested Sumith Gunasekera, a criminal illegal alien sex offender from Sri Lanka, in Detroit on November 12, 2025. During processing, Gunasekera claimed to be employed as an associate professor for Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Gunasekera’s criminal history includes:

• On August 28, 1998, Gunasekera was arrested by the Peel Regional Police in Brampton, Ontario for uttering death threats. He was arrested again just three days later again for invitation to sexual touching and sexual interference. Gunasekera admitted to officers that this charge was related to a minor.
• On November 12, 1998, a criminal court in Brampton, Ontario convicted Gunasekera for utter threat to cause death or bodily harm and sexual interference and sentenced him to 1 month of incarceration and 1 year of probation.
• On September 25, 2003, the Metropolitan Police Department in Las Vegas arrested Gunasekera for open and gross lewdness.
• On January 16, 2004, the Las Vegas Justice Court convicted Gunasekera of disorderly conduct and sentenced him to fines.

“It's sickening that a sex offender was working as a professor on an American college campus and was given access to vulnerable students to potentially victimize them,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Thanks to the brave ICE law enforcement officers, this sicko is behind bars and no longer able to prey on Americans. His days of exploiting the immigration system are OVER. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, criminals are not welcome in the U.S.”

Gunasekera entered the U.S. in February 1998, left for Canada, and returned later that year on a student visa. It was later discovered, when he applied for a change of status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in 2012, that he was convicted of crimes in Canada.

Over the years Gunasekera repeatedly attempted to manipulate our immigration system between applications, denials, and appeals despite the convictions in Canada that made him ineligible for legal status in the United States.

Gunasekera remains in ICE custody pending further immigration proceedings.

Man Pleads Guilty To Discharging Machine Gun That Killed 69-Year-Old Bystander In East Harlem

Faisil McCants Admitted to Causing the Death of Robin Wright 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Ricky J. Patel, announced that FAISIL McCANTS pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff to possessing and brandishing a machine gun in connection with an August 27, 2025, daytime armed robbery and shooting in which McCANTS fired 15 rounds on a public street in East Harlem, striking and killing a 69-year-old woman.  McCANTS is scheduled to be sentenced on March 31, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. 

“Faisil McCants fired 15 bullets in a matter of seconds in the middle of the day, killing a 69-year-old innocent woman who was doing nothing more than standing by her walker on an East Harlem street,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “This type of senseless violence cannot and will not be tolerated.  The people of this City expect and deserve to be able to walk our streets without fear.  Thanks to the swift and tireless work of our partners at HSI and the NYPD, McCants will now face justice for his August 2025 crime.  His plea today underscores our Office’s unwavering commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who use guns to destroy communities and lives.”       

“Nearly three months ago, Robin Wright’s life was cut short in what can only be described as a senseless, avoidable, and absolutely unacceptable tragedy,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel.  “With today’s guilty plea, an admitted violent criminal will spend decades in prison with no choice but to relive the events—and the decisions—that landed him there, while an innocent woman’s grieving family prepares for their first holiday season without her.  Protecting New Yorkers is non-negotiable, and HSI New York, alongside our law enforcement partners, will use every tool at our disposal in doing just that.”

As alleged in public court filings, statements in public court proceedings, and the charging documents in the case:

On or about August 27, 2025, shortly before 12:30 p.m., McCANTS and two co-conspirators (“CC-1” and “CC-2”) robbed a drug dealer (“Individual-1”) near East 109th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan, New York.  During the robbery, McCANTS and his co-conspirators got into a physical altercation with Individual-1 before both McCANTS and CC-1 grabbed backpacks from Individual-1—which contained marijuana—and then fled north on Madison Avenue, turning onto East 110th Street.

McCANTS pulled a black firearm (equipped with a machine-gun conversion device) out of his right sweatshirt pocket and fired 15 shots in quick succession in the general direction of Individual-1.  A photograph of McCants firing is below:

A 69-year-old woman (the “Victim”) standing with a walker on the northwest corner of East 110th Street and Madison Avenue—in the direction that McCANTS shot the firearm—was struck by gunfire.  The Victim was transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

McCANTS, 18, of New York, New York, pled guilty to one count of use, carrying, and possession of a machine gun, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. 

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Police Department.  He also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the New York State Board of Parole, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. 

Attorney General James Leads Bipartisan Coalition Urging Congress to Reject Legislation Preventing State Regulation of Artificial Intelligence

 

AG James and Bipartisan Coalition of 36 Attorneys General Warn Blocking States from Regulating AI Would Harm Children, Public Health, the Economy, and National Security

New York Attorney General Letitia James led a bipartisan coalition of 36 attorneys general in urging Congress to reject language in the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would prevent states from passing or enforcing laws to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). In a letter to congressional leadership, Attorney General James and the coalition assert that states should be able to enforce existing state-level AI laws and continue to pass new legislation to address the many risks associated with the technology, including AI-generated scams and misinformation, AI chatbots inappropriately engaging with children, and more. Attorney General James and the coalition argue that blocking states from regulating AI poses serious risks to children, public health, the economy, and national security.

“Every state should be able to enact and enforce its own AI regulations to protect its residents,” said Attorney General James. “Certain AI chatbots have been shown to harm our children’s mental health, and AI-generated deepfakes are making it easier for people to fall victim to scams. State governments are the best equipped to address the dangers associated with AI. I am urging Congress to reject Big Tech’s efforts to stop states from enforcing AI regulations that protect our communities.”

Congressional leaders are considering adding language to the NDAA that would prevent states from enacting or enforcing AI regulations. Although AI is a transformative technology, there are serious risks associated with it. AI-generated deepfakes, social media profiles, and voice clones are being used to scam people and mislead voters. In addition, AI chatbots and “companions” are engaging children in highly inappropriate ways, including in conversations that feature graphic romantic and sexual roleplay, encouragement of suicide, promotion of eating disorders, and suggestions to prioritize use of the AI at the expense of connecting with friends and loved ones in real life.

States have already passed multiple laws that address specific harms associated with the use of AI. New York recently enacted a law requiring AI chatbots to detect and address suicidal ideation and expressions of self-harm by users, and to notify users every three hours that the user is not communicating with a human. Other states have enacted laws designed to protect against AI-generated explicit material, prohibit deepfakes designed to mislead voters and consumers, prevent spam phone calls and texts, and require basic disclosures when consumers are interacting with specific kinds of AI.

The proposed language in the NDAA would force states to stop enforcing these laws and preempt prospective legislation from being enacted. Attorney General James and the coalition argue that states should be able to regulate the industry and are best equipped to respond to the rapidly changing technology because state governments are more agile. The attorneys general write that in the absence of strong federal regulations on AI, this rushed, broad federal preemption of state regulations puts communities at great risk. Instead, the attorneys general urge congressional leaders to allow states to formulate their own laws on AI while adopting effective, thoughtful federal regulations.

Joining Attorney General James in sending today’s letter are the attorneys general of American Samoa, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. 

Governor Hochul Announces $50 Million Investment to Create New Biofabrication Research Center at State University of New York at Buffalo

Appropriation From 2025-26 State Budget Will Fund New Biofabrication and Imaging Research Center; Supports Governor Hochul’s Goal to Double Research at SUNY

Research Hub Will Help Discover New Medicines and Cures to Save Lives Through Promoting Collaboration Between Faculty from Various Specialties on Regenerative Medicine, Advanced Therapeutics, and Drug Discovery

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $50 million investment to construct a new biofabrication research and imaging facility on the State University of New York at Buffalo campus that will help discover new medicines and cures to save lives. The new facility will act as a hub for faculty from multiple disciplines – including engineering, medicine, structural biology, biomedical informatics, dental, pharmacy, life sciences, and arts and sciences – to collaborate on research in regenerative medicine, advanced therapeutics, drug discovery, and medical devices.

“Investing in a new biofabrication research and imaging hub at the State University of New York at Buffalo will help ensure our state is a leader in this essential, life-saving field,” Governor Hochul said. “The research and advancements that will come out of this facility will not only help New Yorkers have a better quality of life going forward, but will also support innovative and better health for people around the world. I applaud the State University of New York at Buffalo for leading in this cutting-edge research and know that this investment will help turbo-boost innovation.”

The $50 million investment is made possible by the capital support SUNY received from the 2025-26 enacted state budget. The new facility will contain enhanced imaging capabilities, expanding the State University of New York at Buffalo’s research in neurology to include the study of diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, strokes, and Alzheimer's, with a focus on the link between the biology of aging that led to certain neurological conditions. The State University of New York at Buffalo is also committing $16.7 million to support faculty research.

About The State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit www.suny.edu.

About the State University of New York at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo is a premier, research-intensive public university, and is a State University of New York flagship university. UB's more than 30,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 500 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is the largest and most comprehensive university in the State University of New York system (SUNY), and is a member of the Association of American Universities, which is composed of America's leading research universities. UB is consistently recognized as one of the world’s most exceptional, most affordable universities.

 

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DEC Announces $1 Million in Grant Funding to Reduce Impacts of Air Pollution in Environmental Justice Communities

 

Two Community-Based Organizations Awarded $500,000 to Implement Projects to Reduce Air Pollution in Buffalo and New Rochelle

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced $1 million in grant funding for two projects that will support effective action to reduce air pollution and exposure within disadvantaged communities (DAC) and environmental justice (EJ) communities. The awards, funded through DEC's Air Pollution Mitigation grant program, support the Statewide Community Air Monitoring (CAM) initiative and its ongoing work to identify and prioritize sources of air pollution and mitigation strategies in partnership with community stakeholders. 

“Reducing the impacts of air pollution and vehicle emissions is vital to the long-term health and well-being of New Yorkers living in disadvantaged and environmental justice communities,” Commissioner Lefton said. “DEC's Air Pollution Mitigation grant program builds on the successful Community Air Monitoring initiative to identify sources of pollution in partnership with community stakeholders. Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, DEC remains committed to this transformational work and looks forward to the results of the New Rochelle and Buffalo projects.” 

The funded projects are designed to reduce or mitigate emissions or air pollution in areas with higher air pollution levels and negative quality of life impacts from noise and odors due to an inequitable distribution of air pollution sources. 

The following projects were awarded funding: 

Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network, $500,000: funding will support a project to enhance indoor air quality and maternal health by utilizing cost-effective air filtration devices and community education initiatives. The project will focus on improving health outcomes for a very sensitive subpopulation of African American and Hispanic women and their newborns in Buffalo's disadvantaged communities. 

Energy Justice Law and Policy Center, $500,000: funding will support efforts by Clean Air New Rochelle, led by the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center in partnership with the city of New Rochelle, to monitor air quality in DACs within The LINC. The $45 million City-proposed mitigation-focused infrastructure project is in a high-traffic corridor area with goals to restore street connections, improve traffic flow, install green infrastructure, and create community spaces. Energy Justice Law’s project will engage communities to monitor and evaluate these reduction methods in areas near sensitive populations by evaluating the effectiveness of air pollution exposure reduction strategies, including effects of traffic rerouting the planting of trees and the use of vegetative barriers near busy roadways.

Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network, Inc. CEO Luanne Brown said, “Pregnancy is a critical window when environmental stressors like air pollution can have profound impacts on both mother and child, something that often bears a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged communities like Buffalo. With support from Governor Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and in collaboration with our partners, Dr. Lina Mu and Meng Wang, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, hundreds of pregnant women will receive a low-cost air purifier to reduce household air pollution. This community-based intervention program will help reduce maternal complications, improve birth outcomes, and provide long-term benefits for child development.” 

Energy Justice Law and Policy Center founder and Executive Director Raya Salter said, “This grant allows us to pair cutting edge air-monitoring with community leadership. By tracking the real impacts of mitigation projects in New Rochelle’s frontline communities, we’re building a model for municipal, community-driven air-pollution solutions and, with the DEC, advancing the Climate Act.” 

Community Air Quality

Residents and community-based organizations often approach DEC when they have air quality concerns. DEC uses existing air quality data, air quality model results, and information on local sources of air pollution to better understand the community's concern. 

In August 2024, DEC completed the collection and analysis of air quality data for the statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative. This initiative gathered air quality data in 10 disadvantaged communities with some of the highest air pollution burdens across New York. DEC created an overview of the initiative and detailed interactive “story maps” of the 10 communities using the monitoring results, including mapping tools to display the mobile monitoring findings, air pollution sources, and locations of sensitive populations like schools, daycares, playgrounds, public housing, and nursing homes. 

As part of the Community Air Monitoring Initiative, DEC continues to partner with communities around New York to help address air pollution and quality of life impacts and the emissions contributing to climate change. DEC is working with CAM communities to collect input and recommendations for air pollution reduction strategies that will be compiled in a report and released early next year. 

DEC will consult with the Climate Justice Working Group and oversee the next phase of the Community Air Monitoring initiative in collaboration with local stakeholders and other state agencies to develop statewide mitigation strategies to improve air quality in DACs based on community input. 

Additional information on the Office of Environmental Justice is available on the DEC website: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/environmental-justice 

New York State's Climate Agenda

New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

DIVERSE ENTREPRENEURIAL INCLUSION: PUBLIC ADVOCATE RELEASES ‘DEI’ REPORT ON SUPPORTING MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES AHEAD OF SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

 

Days before Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shopping, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. WIlliams has released a new report, Diverse Entrepreneurial Inclusion, assessing the city’s support of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs). The report examines gaps in city contracting and proposes new ways to empower minority small business owners. It comes as conservative attacks on so-called ‘DEI’ programs have caused many businesses to abandon diversity programs. 

“In New York City, we have long strived to celebrate diversity, recognizing it as a strength for not only our culture, but our economy. Small businesses built by immigrants, minorities, and women are at the core of our economic identity in this city – but too many systemic barriers still prevent these ventures from growing their bottom line and our economy,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams in releasing the report. “Many of the same critics that attack DEI principles are currently fanning the flames of hysteria about the incoming administration and its economic agenda, claiming it will harm businesses. But as this report demonstrates, the truth is that this can be a new era for business in New York City – strengthening the small and diverse businesses we are fortunate to have today, and supporting the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”

The new report highlights both the importance of enterprises – often small businesses – owned by women and minorities, and the systemic barriers those businesses face. It argues that bolstering M/WBEs, supporting diverse entrepreneurs, is both socially and economically responsible, and in the city which serves as an economic engine for the world, this is an opportunity we have to embrace. It also applies these principles to specific programs that our city can improve and invest in to lift up historically marginalized groups and enterprises.

The report finds that small businesses, particularly M/WBEs, face a competitive disadvantage when pursuing city contracts compared to larger, longer-established, and often national or international corporations. This is one reason that M/WBEs are awarded only about 5% of city contracts, and that these small businesses need greater support to truly compete in procurement. M/WBE contracts with the city are also often relatively low in value. 

Additionally, the report notes several instances in which emergency waivers were used to bypass processes which would have afforded M/WBEs a shot at contracts, including on migrant services, NYC Solves, and NYC Reads. In many instances, locally owned businesses may have avoided some of the ensuring problems – such as low quality or culturally insufficient food in shelters. 

Moving into a new administration, the Public Advocate recommends that the city:

• Restore the Budget for the Department of Small Business Services
• Make the City’s Contract and Procurement Systems More Efficient
• Provide Transparency in Contracting and Procurement
• Proactively Recruit and Support M/WBE Businesses with Ongoing Campaigns
• Enact a Series of City Legislative Proposals on M/WBE Procurement
• Push Albany to Enact Reforms to State Contracting Procedures

As the report notes, while there have been many issues with M/WBE services under the Adams administration, including substantial delays in fulfilling payment, there have also been encouraging actions, such as the establishment of a Chief Business Diversity Officer. The report notes this and other ongoing programs which can be continued and strengthened. 

Expanding the average value of contracts awarded to M/WBEs is a strategic imperative. These businesses are not just economic engines; they are deeply rooted in their communities. Similarly, a fundamental overhaul of existing structures and responsibilities within city agencies will help to clarify and streamline the means by which M/WBEs can access city contracts and services. 

In addition to efforts the city and state must make, the Public Advocate took the report’s release as an opportunity to urge New Yorkers to seek out and support M/WBEs.

“This weekend, between Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, New Yorkers will spend a lot of money – let’s work to spend it in our communities, seeking out and supporting M/WBEs as we decide, with our dollars, the kind of economy we want to build.” said Public Advocate Williams. “We can build economic power by exercising the economic power we have already fought for and gained.”

The presence and success of M/WBEs bring significant positivity and innovation to the diverse sectors in which they operate, contributing to a more vibrant, equitable, and resilient local economy. They tend to hire locally, creating job opportunities for residents within the neighborhoods they serve, thereby fostering community wealth and reducing unemployment. Their unique perspectives and approaches often lead to more tailored and effective solutions, benefiting the city as a whole.

Read the Public Advocate's full report here.

Democrats Meet With Criminal Illegal Alien Arrested for Kidnapping and Domestic Abuse

 

Time and time again, Democrats choose to stand with criminal illegal aliens over American citizens

On Monday, November 24, 2025, House Democrats Rep. Juan Vargas, Rep. Mike Levin, Rep. Sara Jacobs, and Rep. Scott Peters visited the ICE San Diego Field Office and requested to speak with Dennis Mauricio Rojas-Molina, a previously removed criminal illegal alien from Honduras. Rojas-Molina was arrested by the San Diego Sheriff’s Office on May 3, 2025, for kidnapping and battery of a spouse.

“Democrats once again chose to stand with a criminal illegal alien over American citizens,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “This criminal illegal alien these Democrat lawmakers met with has been charged with kidnapping and domestic abuse. It begs the question: have they met with his victim? These sanctuary politicians continue to smear law enforcement and falsely claim ICE is not targeting the worst of the worst. It’s disgusting that these sanctuary politicians continue to do the bidding of criminal illegal aliens.”

Dennis Mauricio Rojas-Molina 

Rojas-Molina was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) on June 16, 2015, near Lukeville, Arizona and was released into the country by the Obama administration. An immigration judge ordered Rojas-Molina a final order of removal on October 2, 2015, and he was deported on October 14, 2015. He re-entered the country illegally at an unknown date and time.

ICE is continuing to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens, despite Democrats' claim that DHS is not targeting criminals.

DHS continues to focus its enforcement efforts on the worst of the worst serious criminal offenders, including murderers, rapists, gang members, pedophiles, terrorists, and other dangerous individuals. 70% of the illegal aliens arrested by ICE have criminal convictions or pending charges in the United States. This figure does not include those wanted for violent crimes in other countries, individuals with INTERPOL notices, human rights violators, gang members, terrorists, and others who pose significant threats to public safety.