Guyana-born U.S. public schools superintendent license revoked, remains in ICE custody

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, 0:03 by Writer

Reproduced from ABC KHQA

DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines school district leader who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday has lost his license and is no longer superintendent.

The Iowa Department of Education said in a press release on Monday that the Bureau of Educational Examiners took action on the license of Dr. Ian Roberts.

Dr. Roberts’ license is no longer valid, and his authority to serve as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools is revoked.

This comes one day after the Des Moines Public School board put Roberts on administrative leave.

He was arrested by ICE officials because they allege he was in the country illegally.

They say Roberts didn’t have authorization to work and was subject to a final removal order issued in 2024.

Dr. Roberts had previously said he was born to immigrant parents from Guyana and spent much of his childhood in Brooklyn, New York.

ICE said he entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999.