IA - Des Moines school superintendent arrested by ICE (9/26/2025)

[airportwoman]

The more information that comes out, I'm wondering if they did ANY kind of background check on him! He came here from Guyana in 1999 on a student visa, and also had an outstanding weapons charge.

I grew up in Des Moines, and nothing that happens there surprises me at all - and they've always had some of the best schools in the nation.

Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts detained by ICE agents

The superintendent of the largest school district in Iowa has been detained by federal immigration officials. Superintendent Ian Roberts of Des Moines Public Schools was arrested Friday after fleeing ICE agents during a traffic stop.

www.iowapublicradio.org

 

[airportwoman]

Update: I don't really have any links that have consistent information about his background. He almost sounds like George Santos v. 2.0. When I do have some confirmed data on his past, I'll post it, but the inconsistencies are not small things by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[Inthedetails]

Update: I don't really have any links that have consistent information about his background. He almost sounds like George Santos v. 2.0. When I do have some confirmed data on his past, I'll post it, but the inconsistencies are not small things by any stretch of the imagination.

Reporters are working right now to verify his background, I'm willing to bet. We should know soon if he lied or not. I'm waiting for confirmed info, fwiw.


jmopinion

 

[outback]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/26/us/ian-roberts-des-moines-superintendent-arrested-ice

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

Roeder told The Associated Press that the district has seen “nothing that would suggest that he's not a citizen.” The district said Friday afternoon that a third party was hired to conduct a comprehensive background check on Roberts and that Roberts completed an I-9, which requires workers to present documents showing that they were authorized to work. District officials also stated they had no knowledge of an order of removal issued in 2024.

Roberts, who has described himself as a longtime gun owner and hunter, was in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash and a fixed-blade hunting knife when arrested, ICE said

https://www.chron.com/news/article/des-moines-iowa-public-school-leader-detained-21069538.php

 

[Emerald1328]

The more information that comes out, I'm wondering if they did ANY kind of background check on him! He came here from Guyana in 1999 on a student visa, and also had an outstanding weapons charge.

I grew up in Des Moines, and nothing that happens there surprises me at all - and they've always had some of the best schools in the nation.

Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts detained by ICE agents

The superintendent of the largest school district in Iowa has been detained by federal immigration officials. Superintendent Ian Roberts of Des Moines Public Schools was arrested Friday after fleeing ICE agents during a traffic stop.

www.iowapublicradio.org

It must have been a while since you’ve been to Des Moines then I grew up in Des Moines, graduated from a Des Moines high school in the late 90’s and am currently raising a family in a Des Moines suburb. It’s unfortunate, but children really have a lot more opportunities if they go to a high school in one of the surrounding districts than if they go to a Des Moines high school. This includes so many things, such as educational opportunities (more AP and advance class offerings), more successful sports teams, higher level of safety. However, if you want a school district around here that cares about meeting the essential needs of each and every child in their district, you can’t do better than DMPS around here. Free meals for students, free home wifi provided for students of low income, diversity and inclusion, etc. This superintendent has been very passionate about the students he serves.