The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district has been placed on administrative leave following his detention by federal immigration authorities, who allege he is in the U.S. illegally. The Des Moines school board voted unanimously to suspend Ian Roberts with pay, citing his inability to fulfill duties while the situation unfolds. Officials say they are still awaiting clarity as questions mount over his background, immigration status, and hiring process.
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School Board’s Swift Action
In a brief three-minute special meeting, the Des Moines school board voted to place Roberts on leave. Board president Jackie Norris described the news of his detention as a “jarring day” and emphasized that officials still lacked all the facts. She confirmed that the district’s associate superintendent would assume leadership until further notice.
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Immigration Agency’s Allegations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated Roberts was detained because he lacked legal authorization to remain or work in the U.S. and was subject to a final removal order from 2024. ICE said Roberts attempted to flee into a wooded area after being stopped in a school-issued vehicle but was later apprehended with assistance from Iowa State Patrol officers.
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Board Reacts To Claims
Norris stressed that no one within the district had prior knowledge of Roberts’ alleged immigration issues. “The accusations ICE had made against Dr. Roberts are very serious, and we are taking them very seriously,” she said. Roberts has since hired a Des Moines law firm, with attorney Alfredo Parrish confirming representation but declining comment on the case.
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Hiring And Background Checks
The district said Roberts underwent multiple background checks in 2023, including a criminal, credit, and citizenship review, none of which revealed problems. Norris added that Roberts signed paperwork affirming he was a U.S. citizen at the time of his hiring. The Iowa Department of Education echoed that Roberts declared U.S. citizenship when applying for his administrator license, which was granted after state and federal history checks.
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State Review Underway
The Iowa Department of Education has announced a review of Des Moines Public Schools’ hiring protocols to ensure compliance with federal work authorization requirements. Officials noted Roberts disclosed a firearm-related charge tied to a hunting rifle during the hiring process, which the board deemed sufficiently explained and unrelated to his qualifications.
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Athletic And Personal Background
Roberts, born to immigrant parents from Guyana, spent much of his youth in Brooklyn, New York. A former Olympic athlete, he represented Guyana in track and field at the 2000 Games. Before moving to the U.S. on a student visa in 1999, he served as a police officer in Guyana, where retired commissioner Paul Slowe described him as “a good, promising and disciplined man” who left the force voluntarily.