Des Moines, Iowa, found itself thrust into the national spotlight on September 26, 2025, when Dr. Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in a dramatic operation that has since divided the community and ignited widespread protest. Roberts, a former Olympic athlete and a beloved educator with a storied career, is accused by federal authorities of overstaying his visa and violating U.S. firearms law, while his supporters see him as a pillar of the school system and a symbol of the American immigrant dream.
According to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Roberts, 54, originally from Guyana, entered the United States on a student visa in 1999. He later became a U.S. college graduate and rose through the ranks of public education, eventually being named superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in 2023, where he oversaw more than 30,000 students. Yet, federal officials now say his work permit expired in 2020, and an immigration judge issued a final removal order against him in May 2024. As ICE agents moved to enforce that order on Friday morning, Roberts reportedly fled in his vehicle, abandoning it near a wooded area, and was ultimately arrested. ICE claims he was found in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a fixed blade hunting knife—possession of a firearm is a violation of federal law for those without legal status in the U.S.
The arrest sent shockwaves through Des Moines. Hundreds of students, teachers, and community members gathered outside the Neal Smith Federal Building, carrying signs that read “Education, not deportation” and “Free Dr. Roberts,” according to CNN affiliate KCCI. The protests underscored the deep affection many in the community feel for Roberts, who is known for his hands-on approach and memorable moments with students—like the time in May 2024 when he donned a maroon three-piece suit and candy cane striped bow tie to race elementary students in a 100-meter dash. “I raced an Olympian,” one fifth grader recalled, “I’m going to keep that in my mind forever.”
The school board acted quickly. On Saturday evening, September 27, after a closed meeting, the Des Moines Public School Board voted to place Roberts on paid administrative leave, citing that he was “currently unavailable to perform his duties as superintendent.” Board Chair Jackie Norris acknowledged the shock and confusion surrounding the arrest, stating, “Yesterday came as a shock to all of us. I want to be clear today: We still do not have all of the facts.” She added, “What we do know is Dr. Roberts has been an integral part of our school community since he joined two years ago.” The district insisted that all their records affirmed Roberts’ eligibility to work, and that they were unaware of the removal order until after his arrest.
Roberts’ professional journey is as impressive as it is varied. Born to immigrant parents from Guyana and raised in Brooklyn, New York, he was the first men’s NCAA All-American athlete at Coppin State University and represented Guyana in the 800 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He later earned master’s degrees from St. John’s University and Georgetown University, and a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Trident University. His career spanned teaching and administrative posts in New York City, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Oakland, and Pennsylvania. In 2013, he was named George Washington University’s Washington, D.C., Principal of the Year.
Roberts’ supporters are adamant about his positive impact. The Iowa State Education Association and Des Moines Education Association said in a joint statement that they were “shocked” by his detention. “Since being hired as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, we have known Dr. Roberts to be a tremendous advocate for students, families, staff, and the community. His leadership and compassion for all students, regardless of background, identity, or family origin, are a beacon of light in one of the state’s most diverse school districts,” the statement read. “It is a dark and unsettling time in our country. This incident has created tremendous fear for DMPS students, families, and staff. We call on the community to come together and support each other.”
Yet, the reaction was not universally sympathetic. ICE St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson called Roberts’ arrest “a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats.” Olson questioned how someone “without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge” could have been hired to lead the district, saying it “should alarm the parents of that school district.” Iowa Republican Congresswoman and Senate candidate Ashley Hinson went further, demanding that Roberts be “deported immediately,” and adding, “He should have never been anywhere around Iowa kids in the first place!”
Democratic voices offered a starkly different perspective. Des Moines Representative Larry McBurney called the arrest a “disgrace,” arguing, “Our schools should never be treated as political battlegrounds for federal overreach.” Progress Iowa executive director Mazie Stilwell, a parent in the district, called the arrest an “attack on our freedoms” and urged Iowans to demand action from their legislators.
Roberts’ legal team, led by attorney Alfredo Parrish, has yet to comment in detail, citing the need to review all documents related to the case. Parrish told CNN he had spoken with Roberts, who was then being held at a county jail in Sioux City, Iowa, and said, “He sounded good. We had a good conversation.” The district has since appointed Matt Smith as interim superintendent, pending further developments.
The circumstances surrounding Roberts’ weapons charge have also drawn scrutiny. Public records show that Roberts pleaded guilty to a weapons offense in Pennsylvania in 2022, related to a hunting rifle. Roberts, a longtime licensed gun owner and hunter, had disclosed this incident during his hiring process. In a 2022 Instagram post, he explained that he received a citation from a game warden for having a loaded weapon in his vehicle while hunting, and expressed confidence in how he handled the situation, emphasizing his intent to comply with safety protocols.
For many, the Roberts case is a microcosm of the broader, often contentious debate over immigration enforcement in the United States. President Donald Trump’s administration has intensified efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, promising to target “the worst of the worst,” but government data shows that around 70% of those detained by ICE have no criminal record. The arrest of a well-respected superintendent, with deep ties to the community and a record of service, has left some residents questioning the priorities and fairness of the current immigration system.
As Des Moines waits for answers, the school board is slated to hold another closed session to discuss the situation further. In the meantime, the city remains deeply divided, with Roberts’ fate hanging in the balance—and the students, teachers, and families of Des Moines Public Schools left to grapple with the uncertainty of what comes next.
Whatever the outcome, the story of Ian Roberts has already left an indelible mark on Des Moines, serving as a stark reminder of both the promise and the perils faced by immigrants striving to make a difference in American communities.
