DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The leader of Iowa’s largest school district has been placed on administrative leave after being arrested by federal immigration agents for allegedly living in the U.S. illegally.
In a quick special meeting on Saturday, the Des Moines school board voted unanimously to place Superintendent Ian Roberts on paid leave, citing his unavailability to fulfill the responsibilities of overseeing the district, which serves around 30,000 students.
School board president, Jackie Norris, addressed the situation, describing it as a jarring day and pointing out that the board still lacked complete information regarding Roberts' arrest.
Roberts was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while driving a vehicle assigned to the school district. ICE officials stated that he was in the U.S. without authorization and was subject to a final removal order issued in 2024. Reports indicate that Roberts fled into a wooded area but was captured with assistance from Iowa State Patrol officers.
He is currently being held at the Woodbury County Jail, roughly 150 miles from Des Moines.
Norris emphasized that the board was unaware of Roberts' immigration status prior to his arrest, calling the charges against him serious and detrimental to the district's reputation.
We take these allegations very seriously, Norris added. Roberts has retained legal counsel, but we have yet to hear back from representatives. We intend to monitor the situation closely.\
Norris noted that a thorough background check had been conducted prior to Roberts' hiring, which revealed no immigration or citizenship issues. Roberts has previously represented Guyana as an Olympian in track and field and entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999.
The Iowa Department of Education confirmed that Roberts had claimed to be a U.S. citizen when applying for his administrator license. The department is currently reviewing the hiring processes of the Des Moines district to ensure compliance with employment regulations.
Roberts, who grew up in Brooklyn, has connections to the Guyanese community and was once noted for his promise both in athletics and potential public service within the Guyana Police Force.
This developing story has raised significant concerns about immigration and employment verification processes within educational institutions, while also leading to questions about the responsibilities of school boards in vetting their leadership.
