Iowa School District Leader Placed on Leave After ICE Arrest

Fri Oct 10 2025 19:32:29 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The superintendent of Iowa's largest school district, Ian Roberts, has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest by federal immigration agents for allegedly being in the United States illegally. Roberts' case has raised significant questions regarding immigration status and hiring protocols.

Ian Roberts, the superintendent of the Des Moines school district, was arrested by ICE agents who claimed he was residing in the U.S. illegally. After the incident, the school board unanimously agreed to place him on administrative leave. The circumstances surrounding his immigration status are under review, prompting the Iowa Department of Education to evaluate hiring procedures for school officials.

DES MOINES, Iowa - Officials placed the leader of Iowa's largest school district, Superintendent Ian Roberts, on administrative leave following his arrest by federal immigration agents, who claim he was living and working in the country unlawfully.

The unanimous decision came during a brief special meeting of the Des Moines school board, where it was determined that Roberts was unable to fulfill his duties for the district serving approximately 30,000 students. The board stated they would reassess his position as further information becomes available.

School board president Jackie Norris remarked that the news of Roberts’ arrest resulted in a jarring day for board members but added that they still lacked all the pertinent details.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Roberts was detained while driving a school-issued vehicle, after which he fled into a wooded area before being captured with assistance from Iowa State Patrol officials. ICE claims Roberts had previously been issued a final removal order in 2024.

Roberts is currently being held at the Woodbury County Jail in Sioux City, approximately 150 miles from Des Moines. In a statement, Norris emphasized the seriousness of the ICE allegations, indicating that no one within the school district had been aware of any immigration complications concerning Roberts.

Roberts has reportedly secured legal representation from a local Des Moines law firm, though no comments had been received by press time. Norris reiterated that a background check upon Roberts’ hiring yielded no issues, and he had signed a document asserting his U.S. citizenship.

The Iowa Department of Education has also released a statement confirming that Roberts identified himself as a U.S. citizen during the application process for an administrator license. They are currently reviewing the district's hiring policies to ensure compliance with work authorization requirements.

Roberts remains an influential figure, previously competing for Guyana in the 2000 Olympics for track and field, and has a history in law enforcement within his home country. A former senior police official in Guyana remembered him as a disciplined and promising individual.