Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) Superintendent Ian Roberts has been placed on paid administrative leave following his detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday. The school board voted unanimously on this action during a special meeting Saturday, one day after federal authorities took Roberts into custody.
Key Takeaways
- DMPS Superintendent Ian Roberts was detained by ICE agents on Friday, September 26, 2025.
- The Department of Homeland Security stated Roberts lacked work authorization and had a final removal order from May 2024.
- The DMPS School Board placed Roberts on paid administrative leave and appointed an interim superintendent.
- Community members and students held rallies to protest the arrest and show support for Roberts.
School Board Takes Action Following Arrest
The Des Moines Public Schools Board of Directors convened a special meeting on Saturday to address the situation. The board voted to place Dr. Ian Roberts on paid administrative leave, effective immediately. Board Chair Jackie Norris described the arrest as a shock to the district.
"No one here was aware of any citizenship or immigration issues that Dr. Roberts may have been facing," Norris said in a statement. "The accusations ICE has made against Dr. Roberts are very serious and we are taking them very seriously."
Norris confirmed the district is cooperating with authorities and working to gather more information. She emphasized the need to support students and staff while the investigation continues.
Interim Leadership Appointed
DMPS announced that Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as the interim superintendent. Smith previously held this role during the 2022-2023 school year before Roberts was hired. Smith acknowledged the difficulty of the situation for the community.
"We stand firm with our community, many of whom are feeling sad, outraged and helpless,” Smith stated on Friday. “We understand, as we, too, are devastated by the news of his detainment.”
District Verification Process
According to DMPS Communications Director Phil Roeder, the district conducted a third-party background check on Roberts before his hiring. Roeder stated that Roberts also completed the required I-9 employment eligibility verification form and submitted the necessary documentation.
Federal Allegations and Details of Detention
According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Roberts was arrested after he fled from ICE agents who had attempted a traffic stop. He was detained on the south side of Des Moines on Friday morning and was later transferred to the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center in Sioux City.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that an immigration judge issued a final order of removal for Roberts in May 2024. The agency also stated that Roberts, a native of Guyana, did not have legal authorization to work in the United States. His entry into the U.S. was reportedly on a student visa in 1999.
ICE officials stated that at the time of his arrest, Roberts was in possession of a loaded handgun, a hunting knife, and approximately $3,000 in cash. Federal law prohibits individuals without legal immigration status from possessing a firearm.
Sam Olson, ICE St. Paul Field Office Director, commented on the arrest. “This should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats,” Olson said in a statement.
Previous Firearm Charge
DHS also mentioned previous weapons charges against Roberts from 2020. District officials confirmed they were aware of a 2021 firearm charge in Pennsylvania. Roberts pleaded guilty and paid a $100 fine in that case for having a loaded firearm in his vehicle.
DMPS spokesperson Phil Roeder said Roberts disclosed the firearm charge during the hiring process. Roeder explained that Roberts “provided sufficient context and explanation of the situation to move forward in the hiring process.”
Community Rallies in Support of Roberts
News of the superintendent's detention prompted immediate community reaction. On Friday afternoon, a crowd of students, parents, and community members gathered outside the Neal Smith Federal Building in downtown Des Moines to protest his arrest. Protesters held signs with messages like "Free Dr. Roberts" and "Bring Ian Roberts home."
Rachel Gulick, a 39-year-old Des Moines native and DMPS graduate, expressed her concern for the students. “I want this community, this state, this nation, to think about what this does to our children when they are seeing the leadership of their communities, of their school systems, being taken off the street and incarcerated,” she said.
Later that evening, hundreds gathered at Corinthian Baptist Church in Des Moines. Activists, clergy, and elected officials spoke in solidarity with Roberts and called for support for immigrants in the community.
Trinh Le-Coulter, a DMPS parent, spoke about explaining the situation to her young children, who knew Roberts from school events. She described their positive memories of him as a leader who raced them for a fundraiser and read them books.
"It's very hard right now to try to explain things to my 9 and 6 year old... because at some point she's going to make that connection that if this can happen to Dr. Roberts, this can happen to her mom, who was not born here," Le-Coulter said.
Governor Reynolds Responds to Arrest
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement on Saturday calling the arrest “shocking.” She specifically noted the report of his “attempt to evade authorities” and the items law enforcement said he possessed.
"I want to be clear: we are a nation of laws that must be enforced," Governor Reynolds stated. "Those who believe immigration laws are optional are dangerously wrong. When laws are ignored, or when people are led to believe there will be no consequences, our communities are at risk.” The governor's office confirmed it is in contact with state and federal authorities.
Who is Ian Roberts?
Dr. Ian Roberts was hired as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in July 2023. He is the first Black person to lead the state's largest school district, which serves approximately 35,000 students. A district profile notes he was born to immigrant parents from Guyana and raised in Brooklyn, New York.
Before his career in education, Roberts was an accomplished track and field athlete. He competed for Guyana in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. He is known for challenging students to footraces and is a visible presence in the district.
During his tenure, Roberts has managed significant district challenges, including budget constraints and school closures. He also led the "Reimagining Education" campaign, a five-year plan to improve student outcomes, and oversaw the completion of the 4,000-seat Mediacom Stadium.