Overview:
Dr. Roberts, 54, has been the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools since July 2023, after spending 20 years in public education, most recently as a superintendent in Pennsylvania.
On Friday, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Dr. Ian Roberts, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to the district.
According to ICE, Roberts was in the country illegally from Guyana and was working as a superintendent despite having “a final order of removal and no work authorization.”In addition, when officers conducted a “targeted enforcement operation” and tried to approach Roberts in his car on Friday, the superintendent sped away, and the officers later found his car abandoned. Roberts was taken into custody, in possession of a loaded handgun, a fixed-blade hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash, ICE said.
Dr. Roberts, 54, has been the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools since July 2023, after spending 20 years in public education, most recently as a superintendent in Pennsylvania.
A message from Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris, posted on Friday, Sept. 26, stated that Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as interim superintendent until further notice. DMPS officials were unaware of the reason for Roberts’ detention.
“This action follows Dr. Ian Roberts being detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this morning. We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps,” the release read.
Roberts came to the U.S. on a student visa in 1999, and a judge issued a “final order of removal” in May 2024, according to ICE’s statement. Roberts has been charged with weapon possession since February 2020, the agency said.
Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris did not underscore the contribution of Roberts to the district.
“There is much we do not know,” Norris said in a press conference at the district. “However, what we do know is that Dr. Roberts has been an integral part of our school community since he joined over two years ago. During his time with our district, he has shown up in ways big and small, and has advocated for students and staff and begun introducing concepts that will help us reimagine education for future generations of Des Moines students.”
