The board overseeing Iowa’s largest school district moved the superintendent onto unpaid leave Monday — just days after he was arrested by immigration authorities.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Ian Roberts, who leads Des Moines Public Schools, was found to be in the U.S. without proper legal status, and had existing charges tied to weapons. DHS says his arrest came during a targeted enforcement action.
Roberts entered the country in 1999 under a student visa. In May 2024, an immigration judge issued a final removal (deportation) order against him. At the time of his arrest, agents say he had a loaded handgun, about $3,000 in cash, and a fixed‑blade hunting knife — items that federal law prohibits someone without legal status from possessing.
School board officials say Roberts attempted to flee when approached by ICE officers, abandoning his vehicle before being located with help from state law enforcement. The board also revealed that the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoked his educator’s license on grounds that he no longer held legal presence in the United States, meaning he was no longer in compliance with his employment contract.
During a board meeting, the chair, Jackie Norris, stated that Roberts’ license revocation triggered the switch to unpaid leave. She also read that, when hired in 2023, Roberts had completed an I‑9 form and presented a driver’s license and Social Security card — asserting his U.S. citizenship. The board has asked Roberts’ attorney to clarify his citizenship status by Tuesday afternoon.
Roberts is being held in a county jail in Sioux City, Iowa. His lawyer, Alfredo Parrish, later communicated with him by phone and said Roberts “sounded good,” but declined to speak further until reviewing the legal documents.
Source: CNN
Welcome to the Forum!
Our forum is brand new, and you’re among the first to join! 🎉
Feel free to start a conversation, ask a question, or share your thoughts. Your voice can help shape this community from the ground up!