On September 26, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) picked up Ian Roberts. He happens to be the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS). Because the incident occurred during a targeted enforcement operation, the response from local authorities was immense and over the top.
At the end of the operation, ICE officers detained Roberts as he was sitting in his car. He took off and that set off an epic chase. After his mother called to report him missing, officers located his abandoned vehicle parked near a wooded area. State Patrol helped US Marshals find him, and he was later transferred into ICE custody.
Roberts, who was born in Georgetown, Guyana to immigrant parents, came to the United States on a student visa in 1999. It was a historic appointment in 2023, when he became the first person of color to lead Iowa’s largest school district. This accomplishment almost overnight turned him into an educational rockstar. Under his leadership, the school has focused on being inclusive and serving all students and families in the school community.
In May 2024, an immigration judge entered a final order of removal against Roberts. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this order was issued in addition to possession of weapons charges. These charges go back to February 5, 2020. The result of this legal trifecta has done much to cast a shadow over his present success and prospective viability in the educational arena.
Roberts’ detention has led to a wave of protests from the DMPS community. Jackie Norris, a spokesperson for the district, stated, “We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps.” Norris further thanked the community for their support during this period of uncertainty.
Early this year, Roberts outlined new guidelines to protect parents’ and families’ presence in public schools. He reiterated that DMPS would not honor warrants from ICE agents. He stated, “Everyday Des Moines Public Schools does everything we can within our legal and moral authority to support students, which is always our top priority.” This proactive approach helped them to work through the complications of immigration enforcement efforts with a focus on keeping student wellbeing at the center of decision-making.
As Roberts remains detained at the Pottawattamie County Jail, DMPS officials are working to provide updates to concerned families and the community. State and local officials are still scrambling to understand what Roberts’ detention will mean for them. The impact of this developing story on his role as superintendent and the overall school district is ongoing.
“During a targeted enforcement operation on Sept. 26, 2025, officers approached Roberts in his vehicle after identifying himself, but he sped away. Officers later discovered his vehicle abandoned near a wooded area. State Patrol assisted in locating the subject and he was taken into ICE custody.” – DHS