Gov. Kim Reynolds on Saturday said the arrest of Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was “shocking” and underscored the need to enforce immigration laws, following his detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Roberts, who has led Iowa’s largest school district since 2023, was taken into custody Friday morning.
According to ICE, Roberts entered the United States on a student visa in 1999 and was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024.
In a press release on Friday, ICE officials said Roberts attempted to flee when agents approached him, abandoning his vehicle near a wooded area before being taken into custody with the help of Iowa State Patrol. Inside the vehicle — provided by Des Moines Public Schools — agents reported finding a loaded handgun, a fixed-blade hunting knife, and more than $3,000 in cash.
“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 Enforcement and Removal Operations St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson. “How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district.”
Reynolds echoed that sentiment in her Saturday statement, saying Roberts’ attempt to evade authorities and the discovery of weapons and cash in his vehicle were deeply troubling.
“The arrest on Friday of Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was shocking,” Reynolds said. “Those who believe immigration laws are optional are dangerously wrong. When laws are ignored, or when people are led to believe there will be no consequences, our communities are at risk. Iowans won’t stand for that. We must enforce the law, every time, to protect our families and our future.”
The arrest has rattled Des Moines schools, which serve more than 30,000 students.
Roberts, originally from Guyana, faces ongoing immigration and weapons proceedings.
The Iowa Department of Education also responded to Dr. Ian Roberts’ arrest on Saturday, saying, “The Iowa Department of Education is dedicated to supporting safe and healthy learning environments, and understands the need for transparent licensure information while following disclosure and investigation procedures.
Dr. Roberts stated that he was a U.S. citizen on the application for Administrator licensure under penalty of perjury. Per their standard process, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners also conducted criminal history record checks with the Division of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation before issuing the license. No deviations from the established licensure process were identified. It is the employer’s responsibility to affirm a person’s I-9 employment eligibility verification, and the Department is reviewing the district’s hiring procedures for verifying that individuals are legally authorized to work in the United States.
The rule of law is essential, and all educators and staff must follow the law to preserve public trust. The Iowa Department of Education is committed to upholding rigorous licensure standards and supporting local educators and families in advancing student learning.”