Superintendent Ian Roberts, recognized as a vital member of the school community and a past principal of the year by those familiar with him, is viewed as a “criminal alien” by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

These contrasting characterizations of Roberts, aged 54, arose after his unexpected arrest by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency on Friday morning. The incident has profoundly shocked the Des Moines, Iowa, community, where he has been employed for many years.

Last week, Roberts, an educator with extensive experience who assumed the role of Superintendent for Des Moines Public Schools in 2023, was taken into custody by ICE during a “targeted enforcement operation.”

According to immigration authorities, Roberts is a Guyanese citizen whose work authorization lapsed in 2020. An ICE statement indicated that an immigration judge issued a final removal order against him in May 2024.

On Friday morning, officials enforced the removal order. ICE reported that Roberts accelerated away in his car when approached by officers that morning, subsequently leaving his vehicle near a forested area. He was apprehended later with a loaded handgun, which ICE stated is a breach of federal law for individuals without legal status in the U.S.

Community Outcry and Disorientation

The arrest of Roberts has deeply unsettled the Des Moines community, given his years of service and oversight of approximately 30,000 students.

This detainment occurs within the context of an intensifying nationwide immigration enforcement effort by the Trump Administration, which seeks to achieve its objective of the largest mass deportation campaign in U.S. history.

President Donald Trump based his campaign on a pledge to deport “the worst of the worst,” yet government data indicates that roughly 70% of individuals detained by ICE are not considered such. Recent surveys show that public approval for Trump’s approach to immigration has fallen from approximately 50% in March.

Following the arrest, hundreds of demonstrators assembled outside the federal courthouse in Des Moines, with some holding placards stating “Free Dr Roberts.” CNN reported that educators from nearby school districts, alongside students and parents, participated in the demonstration.

The incident seemingly took the local school district unawares. School Board Chair Jackie Norris stated on Friday that the district was still gathering information about the events and urged the community to demonstrate “radical empathy” throughout the ongoing investigation.

“We lack complete information. There is still a great deal we are unaware of,” she commented. “Nevertheless, we are certain that Dr. Roberts has been a fundamental component of our school community since his arrival two years prior.”

A biographical sketch on the Des Moines Public Schools website portrays Roberts as an educator possessing “two decades of experience as a classroom teacher, school administrator, and executive leader.”

Born in Brooklyn to Guyanese immigrant parents, Roberts participated in track and field at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. He later attained master’s degrees from St. John’s University and Georgetown University, and a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Trident University. His professional background includes positions in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., the South Bronx, and Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania. In 2013, he was recognized as George Washington University’s Washington, D.C., Principal of the Year.

In its statement following his apprehension, ICE indicated that Roberts had prior weapon possession charges dating back to 2020. However, the school district confirmed that Roberts had disclosed this arrest during his employment application and had discussed it openly.

Assertions of Iowan Vulnerability

Mazie Stilwell, executive director of Progress Iowa and a parent within the Des Moines Public School system, characterized the arrest as an “assault on our liberties.”

“No resident of Iowa is secure. It is imperative that they finally champion our cause and halt these infringements on our freedoms and our communities,” Stilwell declared in a statement. “All Iowans ought to contact their legislators to inquire why residents are being detained and what measures are being taken for our protection.”

Joshua Brown, President of the Iowa State Education Association, and Anne Cross, President of the Des Moines Education Association, issued a joint statement expressing their “shock” upon learning of Roberts’s detention.

“Since his appointment as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Dr. Roberts has consistently demonstrated himself to be an exceptional champion for students, families, staff, and the broader community. His guidance and empathy for all students, irrespective of their background, identity, or family roots, serve as a guiding force in one of Iowa’s most diverse school districts,” they commented.

“This is a somber and troubling period for our nation. This event has generated considerable apprehension among DMPS students, families, and staff. We urge the community to unite and provide mutual support,” they further stated.

Conversely, Republicans and immigration authorities denounced the school board for permitting an individual they described as a public safety risk to be employed within the school system for such an extended duration.

“This ought to serve as a stark reminder to our communities of the crucial work our officers perform daily to eliminate public safety hazards,” stated Sam Olson, Field Office Director for ICE St. Paul.

“It is incomprehensible how this unauthorized immigrant was employed without proper work authorization, a standing removal order, and a previous weapons offense, and this situation should raise serious concerns for parents within that school district,” he further remarked.

Iowa Republican Congresswoman and Senate hopeful Ashley Hinson demanded Roberts’s “immediate deportation.”

“He should never have been near children in Iowa to begin with!” she asserted.

Democratic Representative Larry McBurney of Des Moines labeled the arrest a “disgraceful act.”

“Our educational institutions should never be exploited as political arenas for federal intrusion,” he concluded.

The Des Moines school board is scheduled to convene a special private session on September 27 to address the matter.