ICE Arrests Des Moines School Superintendent Ian Roberts on Deportation Order

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Ian Andre Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS), on September 26, 2025. Roberts, who led Iowa’s largest school district with over 30,000 students, was detained for violating immigration laws. ICE labeled him a “criminal illegal alien” from Guyana, sparking protests, heated debates, and questions about the school district’s hiring process.

On the morning of September 26, ICE agents pulled over Roberts in a school-provided vehicle near Ewing Trace Mobile Home Park in Des Moines. According to ICE, Roberts fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle in a wooded area. With help from Iowa State Patrol, agents found him carrying a loaded handgun, a hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is now investigating the gun possession, as non-citizens are barred from owning firearms under federal law.

Roberts, originally from Guyana, came to the U.S. in 1999 on a student visa but overstayed it. In May 2024, an immigration judge issued a final deportation order after he failed to appear in court. A later attempt to reopen the case was denied in April 2025. Despite this, Roberts continued working as DMPS superintendent, a role he started in July 2023 after a nationwide search.

Before his arrest, Roberts was a well-respected educator. A former Olympic athlete for Guyana, he built a career in U.S. schools, focusing on racial equity and student success. Colleagues praised his leadership, noting recent improvements in DMPS state evaluation scores. He earned about $270,000 a year, with a 3.5% raise in 2024. However, a 2020 weapons charge for possessing a hunting rifle as a non-citizen raised red flags, though it didn’t stop DMPS from hiring him.

The arrest has divided Des Moines. On September 27, hundreds protested downtown, holding signs like “Free our superintendent” and “Education, not deportation.” Many parents and teachers admired Roberts for his hands-on approach and commitment to students. DMPS Board Chair Jackie Norris called for “radical empathy,” praising Roberts’ dedication. The district placed him on paid leave and named Associate Superintendent Matt Smith as interim leader.

On the other hand, some are furious. Iowa Republican lawmakers, like Rep. Ashley Hinson, called the situation “deeply disturbing” and demanded a state investigation into DMPS’s hiring practices. Critics question how someone with a deportation order and a prior weapons charge could lead a major school district. Hinson urged ICE to deport Roberts immediately.

Roberts is currently detained at the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center in Sioux City, Iowa. His case has reignited debates about immigration enforcement, school safety, and hiring oversight. The Iowa State Education Association expressed shock but offered support for Roberts. Meanwhile, the discovery of a loaded gun has alarmed some parents, who worry about safety risks in schools.

The incident raises tough questions: How did DMPS miss Roberts’ immigration status during hiring? Should schools do stricter background checks? And what happens to the district’s leadership now? As protests continue and investigations unfold, Des Moines faces a challenging road ahead.

This case highlights tensions around immigration in the U.S., especially in communities like Des Moines, where diverse populations are growing. Roberts’ arrest could affect trust in schools and spark broader discussions about who gets to lead them. For now, the city is grappling with a mix of support for Roberts and demands for accountability.