In a startling development early Friday morning, Dr. Ian Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools—the largest school district in Iowa—was arrested by immigration authorities, igniting fierce debate and community protests across the state.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Roberts was detained during a “targeted enforcement operation” by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As reported by CNN, DHS alleges that Roberts, who has been leading the district since 2023, is in the country illegally and had an outstanding final order of removal issued in May 2024. At the time of his arrest, officials said he was carrying a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a fixed-blade hunting knife—a combination that federal law prohibits for individuals without legal status in the U.S.
The arrest has split opinion sharply. DHS called Roberts a “criminal alien” and painted the move as a necessary step to protect public safety. Sam Olson, Director of ICE’s St. Paul Field Office, said the arrest “should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats.”
But to many in Des Moines, Roberts is anything but a public safety threat. Jackie Norris, president of the Des Moines Public Schools Board, described him as “an integral part of our school community” who “has shown up in ways big and small” for students and staff.
“There is new information that has been made public that we did not know, and we have not been able to verify,” Norris said, reflecting the shock felt within the district.
Roberts’ background contrasts sharply with the federal government’s narrative. Born to immigrant parents from Guyana and raised largely in Brooklyn, New York, Roberts came to the U.S. on a student visa in 1999. Before becoming an educator, he was an Olympic athlete, competing in track and field at the 2000 Sydney Games. Over the years, he held leadership roles in public schools across the country, including New York City, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Oakland, California, and Erie, Pennsylvania.
The district’s website highlights Roberts’ dedication and experience, noting his commitment to equity and support for students and families in Polk County.
Roberts’ legal troubles reportedly stem from a weapons charge. Public records show he pleaded guilty to a weapons offense in Pennsylvania in 2022. The district said Roberts disclosed a firearms-related offense during his hiring process and provided “sufficient context and explanation” to move forward. However, DHS claims Roberts had an earlier weapon charge from 2020, which the district and CNN have not independently verified.
Despite this, Des Moines Public Schools says it was unaware of Roberts’ final order of removal and has not been formally notified by ICE. Spokesperson Phil Roeder said, “The district has not been formally notified by ICE about this matter, nor have we been able to talk with Dr. Roberts since his detention.”
Roberts is currently held at a county jail in Council Bluffs, Iowa, according to ICE’s detainee locator system.
The arrest has sparked immediate outrage. A crowd gathered outside the federal courthouse in Des Moines, holding signs reading “Education, not deportation / Free Dr. Roberts,” reflecting deep frustration and fear in the immigrant community.
Mary Pat LaMair, a teacher in the district, voiced the feelings of many: “I just think it’s really important that we take care of one another, and we seem to be at a spot where that’s not what’s happening. It’s important for people to know that the general public, I think, is not okay with what’s happening.”
Local organizations have stepped forward in support of Roberts. The Directors Council, a nonprofit serving Des Moines’ Black community, called him a “trusted partner” and “dedicated advocate for equity,” pledging their “full support” during this uncertain time.
Meanwhile, the Iowa Movement for Migrant Justice warned the arrest is sending waves of fear through immigrant families. Organizer Elizabeth Balcarcel said, “We know in advance that our families right now are afraid that if they go to pick up their kids, if they send them to school, if immigrant agents are going to go take their kids out of school. There are many questions, many doubts.”
In response, the Des Moines School Board scheduled a special closed-session meeting to discuss Roberts’ status and the path forward. In the meantime, Matt Smith has been named interim superintendent.
“Our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees,” the district said in a statement.
Roberts’ arrest comes amid a broader national crackdown on immigration enforcement, a campaign that has targeted various community pillars, including firefighters, journalists, and pastors.
