By Naman Trivedi

Copyright timesnownews

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed on Friday that Dr. Ian Roberts, Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was arrested by federal agents. The detention has sparked intense questions about his immigration status and how he came to hold a prominent leadership role in Iowa’s largest school district. According to ICE officials and a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, Roberts is an undocumented immigrant originally from Guyana. He reportedly has been under a final deportation order since May 2024, raising concerns over how he remained employed while allegedly lacking work authorization. ICE detailed that Roberts attempted to evade arrest by fleeing in his vehicle after agents identified themselves. He abandoned the car and was later located about 200 yards away with the assistance of an Iowa State Police K9. Authorities also found a loaded handgun, a fixed blade hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash in Roberts’ vehicle. “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 Sam Olson, ICE ERO St. Paul Field Office Director. Olson added that Roberts’ employment despite his immigration status and prior weapons charge is “beyond comprehension” and should alarm parents in the district. Roberts, who oversees roughly 30,000 students in Des Moines, has been a visible figure in the community. Born to Guyanese immigrant parents and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Roberts began serving as Superintendent in July 2023. He also worked in education in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and St. Louis. The Des Moines School Board, in a statement posted by Chair Jackie Norris, confirmed the arrest but said they had no confirmed details regarding the reasons for detention. Norris announced that Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as interim superintendent “until further notice” to ensure district operations continue smoothly. While ICE records list Roberts as being held at Pottawattamie County Jail, a jail employee told the Associated Press he is currently not at the facility. The arrest comes amid heightened immigration enforcement nationwide under the Trump administration, with increased ICE activity drawing attention to undocumented individuals in prominent public roles. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.