In brief
Ian Roberts, Superintendent of the Des Moines school district, was arrested by ICE for allegedly being in the country illegally and placed on paid leave by the school board. The board stated that it would reassess his status pending further information. Roberts, who was reportedly in the U.S. on a student visa, has denied any wrongdoing concerning his citizenship. The Iowa Department of Education is reviewing the hiring procedures that permitted his employment.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, has been placed on administrative leave after a Friday ICE arrest due to alleged illegal immigration status. The Des Moines school board voted unanimously for the leave following a brief special meeting.School board President Jackie Norris described the news of Roberts’ arrest as a “jarring day,” underlining the board's lack of information at this time. Imported by ICE, Roberts was detained while driving a school vehicle, allegedly fleeing into a wooded area before being captured with support from Iowa State Patrol.Roberts is currently being held at Woodbury County Jail, situated approximately 150 miles from Des Moines. Following the arrest, Norris emphasized that board members were unaware of any potential immigration issues surrounding Roberts.The district conducted a background check upon his hiring, which revealed no concerns, and Roberts affirmed his U.S. citizenship on relevant documentation.The Iowa Department of Education indicated that while granting Roberts an administrator license, it confirmed his citizenship status with state and federal checks. The department is also scrutinizing employment protocols concerning work authorizations in this incident.Roberts, an Olympic track and field athlete originating from immigrant parents in Guyana, had entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999. His history as an athlete and educator has made the circumstances surrounding his arrest particularly notable in the community.
