A public school superintendent in Iowa who has been detained by immigration agents previously worked as a principal in D.C. Public Schools and Baltimore City Public Schools.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed it arrested Dr. Ian Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa’s largest public school district, NBC News reported.
Roberts worked as principal of Anacostia High School from 2010 to 2014, News4 learned. DCPS confirmed he is a former employee but did not provide further statement.
ICE in Des Moines said Roberts had a loaded handgun, $3,000 cash and a fixed blade hunting knife when he was arrested Friday.
Roberts worked as a superintendent in Iowa despite lacking permanent legal status and having a no-work authorization, ICE said.
“The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners issued Dr. Roberts a license to serve as superintendent in the state of Iowa in July 2023,” Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris said. “There is new information that has been made public that we did not know, and we have not been able to verify as to whether that information is accurate.”
Roberts entered the U.S. from Guyana in 1999 on a student visa, ICE said, but was given a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024.
The Des Moines School Board said he held educational leadership positions in districts across the U.S. for 20 years.
“We stand firm with our community, many of whom are feeling sad, outraged and helpless,” interim Superintendent Matt Smith said. “We understand, as we, too, are devastated by the news of his detainment.
“However, this does not stop our important work, and we will continue to provide outstanding education to the students in our community.”
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