Des Moines Superintendent Placed on Leave After ICE Detention
The Des Moines Public School Board has placed Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts on administrative leave after he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday, September 26. The board voted unanimously, 7-0, during a special meeting on Saturday.
Board member Kimberly Martorano stated that while many details remain unclear, the immediate fact is that Dr. Roberts is unavailable to fulfill his role. Matt Smith, who previously served as associate superintendent, will continue as interim superintendent until further notice.
According to district officials, they were aware of a prior gun charge in Pennsylvania but had accepted Roberts’ explanation at the time of his hiring. However, they were not aware of a May 2024 order of removal requiring him to leave the United States.
Despite district records affirming his citizenship, Roberts was detained for being in the country illegally and for possessing a loaded firearm, which federal law prohibits for undocumented individuals. He is currently being held at Woodbury County Jail in northwest Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Education issued a statement underscoring the importance of lawful conduct and transparency in licensure processes. The department noted that Roberts had declared U.S. citizenship under penalty of perjury on his application, and that criminal background checks revealed no irregularities.
The agency emphasized that employers bear responsibility for confirming employment eligibility under federal law, adding that a review of the district’s hiring procedures is underway.
This incident highlights the intersection of immigration law, school leadership, and public trust. Yet, amid the uncertainty, the most important concern remains with the students. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, every child has the right to an education in a safe and stable environment, a principle that must guide the district as it navigates this crisis.
