ICE Arrests Des Moines Superintendent, Protests Erupt in Iowa

Dr. Ian Roberts, the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was arrested on September 26, 2025, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The arrest, which took place under a final order of removal, has drawn significant national attention and prompted protests in Iowa.

According to ICE, Roberts attempted to flee when agents approached him, leaving his vehicle behind before being located with assistance from the Iowa State Patrol. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly carrying a loaded handgun, a fixed-blade knife, and approximately $3,000 in cash. The agency noted that Roberts has a prior firearms violation in Pennsylvania, related to a hunting rifle incident he had previously disclosed during his tenure at various school districts. Roberts has been living and working in the United States without authorization since his student visa expired in 1999.

Roberts, who also represented Guyana as a mid-distance runner in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has had a long career in education. His biography, which has since been removed from the district’s website, noted that he was born to Guyanese immigrants and grew up in New York. His professional journey included leadership roles in several states, including Missouri, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington, D.C.

In response to the arrest, Des Moines Public Schools placed Roberts on administrative leave and appointed Associate Superintendent Matt Smith as interim superintendent. The district emphasized that Roberts had passed comprehensive background checks and submitted all necessary hiring documentation, including the federal I-9 form, which is required by U.S. law to verify identity and work eligibility.

Despite the district’s assertions, the situation has raised questions about how Roberts was allowed to work in education while a federal removal order had been in place since 2024. Many community members, parents, and students have protested outside the district offices and city hall, calling for Roberts’s release and alleging that ICE has overstepped its boundaries. Demonstrators argue that his contributions to public education should be considered in this case.

Local education officials and community advocates are urging for greater transparency, expressing concerns that the case reveals potential gaps in communication between federal immigration authorities and local school systems.

Roberts remains in federal custody as legal proceedings move forward. The impact of this case continues to resonate within the Des Moines community, igniting discussions about immigration policies and their implications for public education.