Last Updated on Friday, 26 September 2025, 22:37 by Writer
Reproduced from KCCI Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa —The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district has been arrested by federal immigration authorities.
Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) confirmed Friday afternoon that Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). At that time, DMPS said it had not confirmed any information as to why Roberts is being detained.
Shortly before 3 p.m. on Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that ICE agents had taken Roberts into custody during a “targeted enforcement operation.”
According to DHS, ICE officers approached Roberts in his vehicle and he sped away, later abandoning his vehicle near a wooded area.
This led to an extensive search of the area in and around Ewing Trace Mobile Home Park on Des Moines’ south side. Federal agents and law enforcement were in the area of the mobile home park for several hours.
DHS called requested mutual aid support from the Iowa State Patrol, which helped assist in locating Roberts.
DHS says Roberts was in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash and a fixed-blade hunting knife.
“This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement,” said ICE ERO St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson. “This should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district.”
It is illegal for someone without legal immigration status to possess a firearm and ammunition, DHS says.
According to DHS, Roberts entered the U.S. in 1999 on a student visa and received a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024. He also has an existing weapons possession charge from February 2020.
ICE records show Roberts in their custody at a county jail in western Iowa. But, as of 1:45 p.m., a Pottawattamie County jail employee said he is not currently at their jail.
DMPS says it will hold a news conference with Norris, Smith and school board member Maria Alanzo at 3 p.m. KCCI will live stream the news conference on air and online.
Who is Dr. Ian Roberts?
A biography page for Roberts on the DMPS website says he was born to immigrant parents from Guyana and spent most of his childhood in Brooklyn, New York.
Roberts received his undergraduate education from Coppin State University, has master’s degrees from St. John’s University and Georgetown University, and a doctorate from Trident University.
Roberts has been superintendent at DMPS since July 1, 2023. Prior to that, he was a superintendent in Pennsylvania at Millcreek Township School District. He’s also worked in school districts in St. Louis, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and South Bronx, New York.
What’s next for Des Moines Public Schools?
DMPS School Board President Jackie Norris said that Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will immediately step in as interim superintendent until further notice.
“Our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees,” Norris said. “The appointment of Mr. Smith as Interim Superintendent ensures that our District continues to operate at the highest level.”
Des Moines residents describe ICE investigation scene
Neighbors in the area told KCCI it began to get chaotic around 8 a.m. Friday.
“Next thing you know, I’m hearing ‘Come out with your hands up,’ and being a single parent, it shook me,” neighbor Taylor Willis said.
“This is usually a quiet neighborhood, but over the last six months, this is not the first occurrence of something like this that has happened,” Willis added.
State and local leaders react to ICE arrest of DMPS superintendent
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office released a statement on Friday afternoon, saying, “Governor Reynolds was made aware this morning that Ian Roberts was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and is in contact with the Iowa Department of Public Safety and federal authorities.”
The Iowa State Education Association and Des Moines Education Association released a statement on Friday afternoon:
“We were shocked to hear of Dr. Ian Roberts’s detainment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents early this morning. Since being hired as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, we have known Dr. Roberts to be a tremendous advocate for students, families, staff, and the community. His leadership and compassion for all students, regardless of background, identity, or family origin, are a beacon of light in one of the state’s most diverse school districts.
It is a dark and unsettling time in our country. This incident has created tremendous fear for DMPS students, families, and staff.
We call on the community to come together and support each other.”
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