The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on October 3rd the details of alleged “crimes” involving illegal residence and possession of firearms by Ian Roberts, the former education superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district. These offenses include at least one conviction for illegal possession of a firearm, reckless driving, four denied green card applications, expiration of work permit in December 2020, and a deportation order issued by the immigration court in May 2024. According to the schedule, Roberts allegedly held significant roles at at least two public schools in Iowa, including the position of education superintendent in the district.
Ian Andre Roberts, the former Education Superintendent (superintendent) of Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa, was intercepted and arrested by ICE on September 26 while driving to school. He was later accused of “illegal alien firearm possession” and remotely appeared in court on October 2. Under federal law, undocumented residents in the US are prohibited from owning firearms.
A 20-page federal indictment detailed Roberts’ immigration status and prior criminal records. The indictment stated that Roberts is a citizen of Guyana in South America and entered the US in 1999 on an F-1 visa, with multiple green card applications subsequently denied. ICE later revealed major details in a news release on October 3.
Before his arrest by ICE on September 26, the 54-year-old Roberts served as the education superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa’s capital. ICE stated that the arrest was carried out as part of an immigration court deportation order. On September 30, Roberts submitted his resignation through a lawyer, which was unanimously accepted by the school board on the same day.
ICE emphasized that Roberts’ criminal records and immigration history indicate that “he has been involved in criminal activities in the US for a long time” and “should not have been allowed” to serve as the education superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district.
Roberts’ criminal records as outlined by ICE include charges ranging from illegal drug possession, document forgery, improper driving, to illegal firearm possession between 1996 and 2022. Two of the charges resulted in convictions, including reckless driving, improper driving, and speeding in Maryland on November 1, 2012, and illegal possession of a loaded firearm in Pennsylvania on January 20, 2022.
In 1994, Roberts entered the US on a B-2 tourist visa through JFK International Airport in New York. In 1999, he arrived on an F-1 student visa at San Francisco International Airport, which was valid until March 7, 2004. Roberts’ green card applications were denied multiple times, with the most recent rejection in January 2020.
Roberts also applied for work permits, with approvals granted until April 1, 2001, December 18, 2018, and December 18, 2019, respectively. Despite being accused of possessing a loaded firearm unlawfully in 2022, Roberts continued to hold top positions at various schools and educational institutions in locations like the DC area, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
Prior to his appointment as the education superintendent of Des Moines School District, Roberts served as the education superintendent in the Millcreek Township district in Northwestern Pennsylvania from August 2020 to June 2023. The ICE report indicated that Roberts’ work permit expired after December 18, 2020.
The Des Moines School Board unanimously approved Roberts’ appointment in June 2023, and he officially assumed the position in July of the same year.
The school board expressed that they were unaware of Roberts’ lack of work authorization and his filling out “citizen” in the citizen status category on hiring documents. Roberts was praised for his commitment to creating a fair learning environment for students, his dedication to continuous improvement, and the opportunities he brought for students, staff, and the community.
In a report by Iowa Capital Dispatch, it was mentioned that the Department of Justice announced on September 30 that an investigation would be conducted into whether the Des Moines School District violated employment discrimination laws by advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
The DOJ’s announcement and letters stated that the wording on the district’s website and related documents may have contravened Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
The district’s 2021 Equity Action Plan included specific targets for recruitment of teachers based on race and color. As part of this plan, a project was initiated to identify minority teachers and guarantee them interview opportunities.
The DOJ pointed out that the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the school district along with racially-based hiring preferences violated federal anti-discrimination laws and undermined educational priorities.