Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts has been nabbed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a dramatic turn of events, as Iowa Public Radio reports.
In a nutshell, Roberts, the first Black superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, was detained by ICE on Friday morning after a traffic stop gone wrong, with questions swirling about his work authorization and a prior removal order from an immigration judge.
Let’s rewind to Friday, when Roberts, who took the helm at Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) in July 2023, found himself in hot water with ICE agents.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Roberts didn’t just pull over quietly -- he fled during a traffic stop, which landed him in custody faster than you can say “border security.”
Adding fuel to the fire, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed Roberts lacks work authorization and was slapped with a final removal order by an immigration judge back in May 2024. If that’s not a red flag for lax oversight, what is?
ICE’s own website lists Roberts as a native of Guyana, though there’s confusion about his whereabouts -- while the site claims he’s in Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs, a jail employee says he’s not there. Sounds like someone needs to update their database.
By Friday afternoon, Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris was in front of cameras, addressing the detention of Roberts, who was born to Guyanese immigrant parents and raised in Brooklyn, New York. It’s worth noting that when hired, he was fully licensed by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and had held similar roles elsewhere.
Here’s Norris in her own words: “We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps.” Well, isn’t that comforting -- while the board fumbles for answers, parents and students are left wondering who’s steering the ship.
Enter Matt Smith, DMPS Associate Superintendent, who was swiftly named interim superintendent on Friday, per board protocol. Smith, no stranger to the role, previously filled in during the 2022-2023 school year, and an email from Norris to the district confirmed his appointment shortly after noon that day.
Before this mess, Roberts had been making waves at DMPS, overseeing projects like the shiny new Mediacom Stadium, a 4,000-seat venue built with Drake University for four of the district’s high schools. Admirable, sure, but does a fancy stadium matter when your legal status is in question?
He also expanded Montessori preschools beyond Cowles Elementary and spearheaded the Reimagining Education campaign, a five-year plan to boost student outcomes, including a specific push to improve algebra proficiency among Black male students. While the goals sound noble, one wonders if the focus on identity-driven metrics aligns with broader educational priorities over progressive agendas.
Roberts inherited a district divided over the previous superintendent’s extended COVID-19 closures and faced a shrinking budget, even closing several schools. Tackling tough issues is part of the job, but shouldn’t personal accountability -- like ensuring proper work authorization -- come first?
Here’s a fun fact: Roberts once competed for Guyana in track and field at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and he’s been known to challenge DMPS students to footraces, often decked out in suits with snazzy pocket squares. A colorful character, no doubt, but running from ICE isn’t the kind of race anyone applauds.
He’s also shared with reporters his love for reading, writing, running, and hunting Iowa deer, painting a picture of a well-rounded leader. Yet, with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ spokesperson now looped in and monitoring the situation alongside state and federal authorities, Roberts’ hobbies are the least of anyone’s concerns.
Ultimately, this saga raises serious questions about vetting processes for high-ranking public officials. How does someone with a removal order slip into a role as critical as superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district? While the left may cry foul over ICE’s actions, conservatives will likely see this as a wake-up call for stricter immigration enforcement and accountability, ensuring that rules apply to everyone -- no exceptions.
