The leader of Iowa’s largest school system has been placed on administrative leave, shortly after he was detained by federal immigration authorities.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement alleges that Des Moines’ school superintendent — Ian Roberts, who was born in Guyana — entered the United States in 1999 on a student visa and had a final order of removal issued by an immigration judge in May 2024, along with no work authorization.
According to ICE, officers approached Roberts in his vehicle Friday during an enforcement operation, but he sped away and abandoned his vehicle near a wooded area. Roberts was detained by ICE later that day.
ICE said Roberts was in possession of a loaded handgun at the time of his arrest, along with $3,000 in cash and a fixed-blade hunting knife. In its statement, ICE also referred to a previous firearm charge from 2020, which the Des Moines School Board said Roberts disclosed during the hiring process. He became superintendent in 2023.
“New information and confirmed facts will continue to inform our decisions as we develop a path forward,” School Board Chair Jackie Norris said in a statement Monday. “Two things can be true at the same time — Dr. Roberts was an effective and well-respected leader and there are serious questions related to his citizenship and ability to legally perform his duties as superintendent.” The district said Friday that it did not have any knowledge of Roberts’ removal order. An attorney for Roberts did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment.
Erum Salam is a breaking news reporter and producer for MS NOW. She previously was a breaking news reporter for The Guardian.
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