ICE arrests superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools for allegedly living in country illegally

The Department of Homeland Security announced Friday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa’s largest school district, for allegedly being in the country illegally.

Superintendent Ian Roberts, a Guyana national who was allegedly in the country illegally after entering on a student visa, was detained by ICE after he tried to flee from officers. Roberts also had existing weapon possession charges from 2020 and was given a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024.

Sam Olson, the director of the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations St. Paul Field Office, said the suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle that was provided by Des Moines Public Schools. The arrest occurred after he fled the scene and the vehicle was found in a wooded area.

“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," Olson said. 

The department said Roberts was “in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash and a fixed-blade hunting knife” at the time of his arrest. 

ICE said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will investigate how Roberts acquired the handgun. 

Roberts had worked as the Des Moines Public Schools superintendent since 2023, and previously worked as the superintendent in two districts in Pennsylvania and Missouri. He also has over two decades of teaching and administrative experience.

The school district confirmed that Roberts disclosed the previous firearm charge related to a hunting rifle during the hiring process, but said he "provided sufficient context and explanation of the situation to move forward in the hiring process."

The district said it was not aware of the 2024 removal order and was not notified of Friday's arrest ahead of time, per NBC News.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.