DES MOINES, Iowa — The legal battle for Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines public schools, has begun as his attorneys seek to halt deportation proceedings initiated by immigration authorities. Roberto’s legal team has filed a request with the immigration court in Omaha to stay the proceedings, as confirmed by attorney Alfredo Parrish, who did not comment further on the specifics as the documentation is under seal. A press conference is scheduled for later today to shed more light on the situation.
Last week, Roberts, originally from Guyana, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for reportedly living and working in the United States without legal authorization. Subsequent to the detention, the state board revoked his superintendent license.
In response to the situation, the Des Moines school board convened and decided to place Roberts on unpaid leave from his leadership role overseeing a district comprised of over 30,000 students and nearly 5,000 staff members. Board chair Jackie Norris emphasized the urgency of the matter, as Roberts’s legal team has until noon today to present evidence verifying his legal employment status in the U.S. If this documentation is not provided, dismissal proceedings against Roberts could follow swiftly, with a special session of the board potentially taking place later this evening.
Currently, Roberts is being held at the Woodbury County Jail in Sioux City, approximately 150 miles northwest of Des Moines, as he awaits developments regarding his immigration case.
Last week, Roberts, originally from Guyana, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for reportedly living and working in the United States without legal authorization. Subsequent to the detention, the state board revoked his superintendent license.
In response to the situation, the Des Moines school board convened and decided to place Roberts on unpaid leave from his leadership role overseeing a district comprised of over 30,000 students and nearly 5,000 staff members. Board chair Jackie Norris emphasized the urgency of the matter, as Roberts’s legal team has until noon today to present evidence verifying his legal employment status in the U.S. If this documentation is not provided, dismissal proceedings against Roberts could follow swiftly, with a special session of the board potentially taking place later this evening.
Currently, Roberts is being held at the Woodbury County Jail in Sioux City, approximately 150 miles northwest of Des Moines, as he awaits developments regarding his immigration case.
