By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following his detainment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts had his superintendent’s license revoked by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. The board’s decision, issued on September 28th, cited Roberts’ lack of “legal presence in the United States” as the reason for revoking his license. Roberts was arrested on September 26th during an ICE “targeted enforcement operation” after allegedly fleeing from officers. ICE reports Roberts is a criminal illegal alien from Guyana. Roberts has the option to appeal the decision by October 28, 2025.
Read the original article here
Des Moines superintendent has license revoked after being detained by ICE. This situation is a pretty complex one, to say the least, and it involves the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Dr. Ian Roberts. The core of the matter is that Dr. Roberts was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The reasons behind his detention, and the subsequent revocation of his license, stem from a combination of factors relating to his immigration status and actions that followed.
The primary reason for Dr. Roberts’ detention was that he was living and working in the United States without proper authorization. His work permit expired back in 2020. Additionally, there was a final order of removal, essentially a deportation order, issued by an immigration judge in May 2024. Despite this order, he continued to serve as the superintendent of the Des Moines school district.
The circumstances surrounding his arrest further complicated things. ICE agents initiated a traffic stop, but Dr. Roberts allegedly attempted to evade law enforcement. He reportedly abandoned his school-issued vehicle and was later apprehended. During the arrest, he was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun, a significant amount of cash, and a fixed-blade hunting knife. It’s worth noting that federal law prohibits individuals without legal status from possessing firearms. Furthermore, Dr. Roberts had a prior weapons charge from February 2020, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
It’s important to consider that Dr. Roberts had been a respected figure in the Des Moines community. He was known for his work in education. Therefore, his arrest and the subsequent revelations about his immigration status and the events surrounding the arrest caused a lot of shock and raised questions. Many people within the school community had a high opinion of his abilities.
The legal aspects of this situation are pretty clear. Because he was in the country without proper documentation and had an active order for deportation he was in violation of U.S. immigration laws. The discovery of a loaded handgun, cash, and the hunting knife further compounded these issues. Possession of a firearm by someone in the U.S. illegally is a federal offense.
The revocation of his license is a direct consequence of his legal troubles. Working in a position of authority, like the superintendent of a school district, requires certain qualifications and the maintenance of a certain legal standing. Violating federal laws, particularly those related to immigration and firearms, would likely preclude one from holding a professional license such as this.
It is understandable that there are strong opinions and varying viewpoints surrounding this situation. Some may focus on the legal violations, the potential risks associated with his actions, and the need to uphold the law. Others might empathize with Dr. Roberts’ situation, highlighting his contributions to the community and questioning the fairness of the enforcement actions. Some might see this as an example of a broken immigration system, where individuals face complex challenges. It’s a sensitive issue, touching on legal, ethical, and community concerns.
The fact that he was working without authorization and had been ordered to leave the country is a significant issue, and his subsequent actions, including allegedly fleeing from police and being found with a firearm, are all relevant to the story.
Overall, the situation of Dr. Ian Roberts is a very good example of the intersection of law, immigration, and community impact. It will be interesting to see how this story continues to unfold, particularly regarding any legal proceedings and any further discussions.