ICE Arrests Superintendent of Iowa’s Largest School District

October 1, 2025

of News Article Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was detained by immigration authorities who claim he was in the country illegally and possessed weapons unlawfully. According to DHS, Roberts had entered the US on a student visa in 1999, received a final removal order in May 2024, and was found with a loaded handgun during his arrest, which violates federal law for those without legal status. The school district acknowledged Roberts had disclosed a firearms offense related to a hunting rifle during his hiring process but was unaware of any removal order against the superintendent, who has a long career in education and previously competed as an Olympic athlete for Guyana.

Who is affected

Ian Roberts, Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools
Over 30,000 students in the Des Moines public school system
Des Moines Public Schools staff and administrators
Immigrant communities in Des Moines who expressed fear following the arrest
The Black community in Des Moines, as Roberts served on The Directors Council
Families of students who may be concerned about immigration enforcement

What action is being taken

Matt Smith has taken the role of interim superintendent
Local education and immigration advocacy groups are rallying behind Roberts
Protesters are demonstrating outside the federal courthouse in Des Moines
The Des Moines School Board has scheduled a special closed-session meeting for Saturday to discuss the arrest and Roberts' status
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is in contact with local and federal authorities regarding the incident

Why it matters

The arrest represents part of ongoing immigration enforcement that has targeted community figures including "a firefighter, a journalist and a pastor"
Roberts was described as "an integral part of our school community" by the school board president
The detention has created "tremendous fear" for students, families, and staff in one of Iowa's most diverse school districts
There are concerns from immigrant families about whether their children are safe at school
The case highlights conflicting narratives between DHS portraying Roberts as a "criminal alien" versus the district's view of him as a respected educator

What's next

The Des Moines School Board has scheduled a special closed-session meeting on Saturday to discuss the arrest and Roberts' status with the district

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