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Officials Place Des Moines Schools Leader on Leave After His Arrest by Immigration Agents

October 3, 2025

Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Iowa's largest school district with 30,000 students, was placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials who claim he is in the country illegally. The Des Moines school board voted unanimously for this action during a special meeting, with board president Jackie Norris stating they were unaware of any citizenship or immigration issues regarding Roberts. According to ICE, Roberts entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999, lacks work authorization, and is subject to a final removal order issued in 2024.

Who is affected

  • Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines school district
  • The 30,000 students in the Des Moines school district
  • The Des Moines school board
  • Des Moines school district administration and staff
  • The Iowa Department of Education
  • The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners

What action is being taken

  • The Des Moines school board has placed Roberts on paid administrative leave
  • Roberts has retained a Des Moines law firm to represent him
  • The Iowa Department of Education is reviewing the Des Moines district's hiring procedures for ensuring work authorization
  • ICE is detaining Roberts at the Woodbury County Jail in Sioux City

Why it matters

  • This situation impacts leadership of Iowa's largest school district, creating uncertainty for 30,000 students and staff. It raises questions about the effectiveness of the district's hiring procedures and background check processes, as multiple verification systems failed to identify Roberts' citizenship status. The case highlights potential gaps in the vetting process for educational administrators, including the Iowa Department of Education's licensing procedures. Additionally, it represents a significant disruption for a district that had completed a comprehensive superintendent search just the previous year.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint