Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed Friday that Dr. Ian Roberts, Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was taken into custody by federal agents. The arrest has raised questions about his immigration status and how he held a leadership role in Iowa’s largest school district.
According to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, Roberts is an undocumented immigrant from Guyana with a final deportation order issued in May 2024, prompting concern over his continued employment despite lacking work authorization.
Details of the Arrest
ICE reported that Roberts attempted to evade federal agents by fleeing in his vehicle. He abandoned the car and was later located about 200 yards away with help from an Iowa State Police K9.
Authorities found in his vehicle:
- A loaded handgun
- A fixed-blade hunting knife
- $3,000 in cash
Sam Olson, ICE ERO St. Paul Field Office Director, said:
“This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement.”
Olson added that Roberts’ employment despite his immigration status and prior weapons charge is “beyond comprehension” and should alarm parents in the district.
Dr. Ian Roberts’ Background
Roberts, 52, oversees roughly 30,000 students in Des Moines. He was born to Guyanese immigrant parents and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He began serving as Superintendent in July 2023 and has a career in education spanning New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and St. Louis.
Interim Leadership and School Board Response
The Des Moines School Board, through Chair Jackie Norris, confirmed the arrest but stated the district had no details regarding the reason for detention. Norris announced:
“Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as interim superintendent until further notice”
This ensures that the school district’s operations continue smoothly while the investigation proceeds.
Current Custody Status
ICE records list Roberts as being held at Pottawattamie County Jail, but a jail employee told the Associated Press that he is currently not at the facility.
Broader Context
The arrest comes amid heightened immigration enforcement nationwide, with increased ICE activity drawing attention to undocumented individuals in prominent public roles.
