Des Moines schools superintendent detained by ICE

DES MOINES, Iowa (FOX 9) – Des Moines Public Schools superintendent has been detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Iowa school leader detained by ICE

Local perspective:

Des Moines Public Schools posted a statement from Jackie Norris, Des Moines Public Schools Board president, on social media Friday announcing Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts was detained by ICE on Friday morning. 

“We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps,” the statement says. 

ICE’s website shows Roberts is in ICE custody at the Pottawattamie County Jail.

Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as the interim superintendent “until further notice,” the district says.

The statement continues, saying the district’s priority is to provide “a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families and employees. The appointment of Mr. Smith as interim superintendent ensures that our district continues to operate at the highest level.”  

“We know you have many questions, and we will provide updates as we learn more confirmed information,” the statement says. 

The backstory:

The Iowa Department of Public Safety on Friday afternoon released additional details about a “mutual aid request”  it received at 8:45 a.m. to assist ICE in locating a man who they say fled from a traffic stop ICE initiated. 

Iowa State Troopers say they assisted in finding the person, who they identified as Roberts. 

The Department of Public Safety released no additional information, and directed inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE.

It’s not clear what prompted the traffic stop.

Who is Dr. Ian Roberts?

Dig deeper:

Roberts has been the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools since July 2023, previously serving as the interim superintendent during the 2022-23 school year, according to the Des Moines Register.

Roberts competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in track and field for Guyana, the newspaper notes.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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