US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained the superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, Ian Andre Roberts, alleging he was in the country unlawfully and lacked work authorization. Roberts, a native of Guyana, was taken into custody during a targeted enforcement operation after attempting to flee from federal officers. He was subject to a final removal order issued in May 2024.
According to ICE, Roberts was stopped while driving a district-issued vehicle and allegedly fled the scene, abandoning the car near a wooded area. He was later apprehended with the help of the Iowa State Patrol and booked into Woodbury County Jail. At the time of his arrest, Roberts was carrying a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a fixed-blade hunting knife.
Roberts has served as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) since 2023, earning a six-figure salary. His hiring was overseen by the school board, chaired by Jackie Norris, a former chief of staff to Michelle Obama. The incident has raised questions about the board’s appointment process, with some criticizing the decision to hire someone with a prior weapons conviction and unclear immigration status.
Court records show that Roberts pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle in January 2022. The DMPS board has placed him on paid administrative leave pending further investigation. Norris stated that Roberts had been “an integral part of our school community,” but the district could not confirm ICE’s claims, adding that “no one here was aware of any citizenship or immigration issues that Dr. Roberts may have been facing.”
The arrest has sparked concern among parents and community members, with some calling for greater transparency and accountability in the school district’s hiring process. The incident highlights the importance of thorough background checks and verification of immigration status for individuals in positions of authority, particularly in education. The case is likely to have significant implications for the school district and the community it serves.
