Iowa Superintendent Ian Roberts’ License Revoked, Placed on Unpaid Leave Amid ICE Arrest for Illegal Status

Iowa City, Iowa – The professional license of Ian Roberts, superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, has been revoked, and he has been placed on unpaid leave following his arrest by federal agents on accusations of living and working in the U.S. illegally. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners confirmed Roberts’ ineligibility to hold a license due to his lack of legal presence in the United States.

Roberts, 54, a native of Guyana, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Friday. Authorities stated he was subject to a final removal order signed by an immigration judge in May 2024. ICE also reported Roberts fled after a traffic stop in Des Moines and was apprehended with assistance from the Iowa State Patrol. At the time of his arrest, he allegedly possessed a loaded handgun, a hunting knife, and $3,000 cash in his district-issued vehicle.

Des Moines school officials expressed shock, claiming they were unaware of Roberts’ immigration status. They stated he verified U.S. citizenship upon his 2023 hiring and provided a driver’s license and Social Security card. Despite a reported “comprehensive background check” by a search firm and state police/FBI checks for his license, these issues apparently went undetected.

On Monday evening, the school board voted 6-0 to place Roberts, who earns an annual salary of $286,716, on unpaid leave. His contract requires state certification, which he no longer possesses. The board received notice from the Department of Homeland Security confirming Roberts’ unauthorized work status and the removal order. His attorney has until noon Tuesday to challenge these facts, after which the board plans to move towards termination.

District administrator Matt Smith has been appointed interim superintendent. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the district of over 30,000 students and 5,000 employees, where Roberts was known for his community involvement. Concerns have also been raised regarding the alleged presence of a gun in a school vehicle, a violation of district policy. ICE has requested the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to investigate how Roberts obtained the handgun, as individuals in the country illegally are prohibited from possessing firearms.

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, representing the Des Moines area, has requested records from ICE regarding the case, seeking clarity on the timeline and proper documentation supporting the enforcement actions.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.