Des Moines Schools Chief Arrested by ICE: A Complex Web of Immigration and Public Safety Concerns

Ian Andre Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Friday after a brief chase. Roberts, who has been living in the United States illegally from Guyana, was taken into custody on a fugitive warrant. According to ICE, Roberts sped away from agents in his vehicle, which was later found abandoned with $3,000 in cash, a fixed-blade hunting knife, and a loaded Glock 19 firearm inside.

A History of Immigration and Education

Roberts entered the U.S. on an F-1 student visa in 1999 but lost his work authorization when his employment authorization card expired in 2020. Despite this, he was hired as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in July 2023, following a nationwide search. Roberts has a background in education, working in various roles in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and St. Louis. He also competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in track and field for Guyana. The Des Moines School Board has announced that Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as interim superintendent until further notice.

Community Reaction and Concerns

The arrest has sparked concerns about public safety and the hiring process for Roberts. ICE Enforcement Removal Operations St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson stated that the situation should be a wake-up call for communities about the work ICE officers do to remove public safety threats. The community is reacting with a mix of shock and support for Roberts, who has been a trusted partner and advocate for equity in the Des Moines area. A rally in support of Roberts was held outside the Neal Smith Federal Building in downtown Des Moines, with community members chanting “Free Dr. Roberts” and holding signs opposing mass deportation policies