Prominent educator with Guyanese heritage detained by ICE

DES MOINES, CMC-The Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) Friday confirmed that the superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, Dr Ian Roberts, had been arrested by federal immigration authorities.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had taken Roberts into custody during a “targeted enforcement operation”.

It said that ICE officers approached Roberts in his vehicle and Roberts sped away, later abandoning his vehicle near a wooded area.

This led to an extensive search of the area involving Federal agents and law enforcement officials and DHS said Roberts was in possession of a loaded handgun, US$3,000 in cash and a fixed-blade hunting knife when detained.

“This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement,” said ICE ERO St Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson.

“This 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. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorisation, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district.”

DHS said that it is illegal for someone without legal immigration status to possess a firearm and ammunition.

DHS said Roberts entered the United States in 1999 on a student visa and received a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024. He also has an existing weapons possession charge from February 2020.

Official DMPS documents show that Roberts was born to immigrant parents from Guyana and spent most of his childhood in Brooklyn, New York. He received his undergraduate education from Coppin State University, has master’s degrees from St John’s University and Georgetown University, and a doctorate from Trident University.

Roberts has been superintendent at DMPS since July 1, 2023. Prior to that, he was a superintendent in Pennsylvania at Millcreek Township School District. He’s also worked in school districts in St Louis, Baltimore, Washington DC, and South Bronx, New York.

DMPS School Board President, Jackie Norris, said that “our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees”.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ office released a statement Friday saying “Governor Reynolds was made aware this morning that Ian Roberts was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and is in contact with the Iowa Department of Public Safety and federal authorities.”

The Iowa State Education Association and Des Moines Education Association later released a statement saying “we were shocked to hear of Dr Ian Roberts’s detainment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents early this morning.

“Since being hired as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, we have known Dr Roberts to be a tremendous advocate for students, families, staff, and the community. His leadership and compassion for all students, regardless of background, identity, or family origin, are a beacon of light in one of the state’s most diverse school districts.

“It is a dark and unsettling time in our country. This incident has created tremendous fear for DMPS students, families, and staff. We call on the community to come together and support each other.”

Since his re-election, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order allowing for the expulsion of illegal immigrations. But the actions have led to criticisms that people, who have been resident in the United States for many decades being among those detained and deported by immigration officials.

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