IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A state agency revoked the professional license of the leader of Iowa's largest school district on Monday, shortly after federal agents arrested him on suspicions of living and working in the country illegally.
The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners informed Des Moines public schools Superintendent Ian Roberts that he was ineligible to hold a license due to his legal status in the United States. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Roberts, a native of Guyana, stating he was subject to a final removal order issued in May 2024. He entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999.
According to ICE, after a traffic stop in Des Moines, Roberts fled but was apprehended with the help of the Iowa State Patrol. He allegedly had a loaded handgun in his district-issued vehicle, along with a hunting knife and $3,000 in cash at the time of his arrest.
School officials expressed surprise over Roberts' unauthorized status, stating they had verified his citizenship when he was hired in 2023. Roberts had signed a form confirming U.S. citizenship and provided relevant documents to support his employment eligibility.
The Des Moines school board unanimously voted to place Roberts on unpaid leave, ending his annual salary of $286,716. His contract, which was recently extended, stipulates he must hold state certification to serve as superintendent.
Board chair Jackie Norris reported receiving a notification from the Department of Homeland Security regarding Roberts' unauthorized work status that prompted the board to consider further actions, including potential termination.
Norris emphasized that the board needed to thoroughly understand the situation, stating, “We need to understand what happened and why.”
Roberts’ attorney has not commented on the case, while the district, which serves over 30,000 students, plans to investigate its hiring procedures. The Iowa Department of Education noted the responsibility lies with the school district to verify employee eligibility.
Roberts, who had been active within the community and in educational advocacy for the past two years, previously served as a superintendent in Pennsylvania. The recent developments have led to concerns among students familiar with Roberts, prompting calls for reduced negative discourse concerning the district.
ICE has also requested an investigation into how Roberts acquired a firearm, as individuals residing illegally in the country aren't permitted to own guns. It has come to light that Roberts had a history of gun ownership issues, including a citation in Pennsylvania for storing a loaded hunting rifle in his vehicle.
Congressman Zach Nunn, representing the Des Moines area, submitted a request for records related to the case, expressing alarm over the nature of the arrest. He emphasized the need for a transparent timeline and proper documentation pertaining to ICE's enforcement actions regarding a senior public official.
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