In a significant development for Iowa’s largest school district, Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, has resigned following his detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The resignation, announced on September 30, 2025, comes as Roberts faces deportation proceedings and legal challenges regarding his immigration status.
Roberts, originally from Guyana and a former Olympic runner, was detained by ICE agents on September 26, 2025. ICE officials stated that Roberts was living and working in the U.S. illegally, with a final order of removal issued in May 2024. At the time of his arrest, Roberts allegedly fled from a traffic stop and abandoned a school-issued vehicle containing a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a fixed-blade hunting knife.
In a letter submitted through his attorney, Roberts announced his immediate resignation, expressing concern for the district’s 30,000 students and stating that he did not want to distract educators and staff from their focus on education. The DMPS school board unanimously accepted his resignation, with Board Chair Jackie Norris describing the situation as a “sad and troubling end” for an individual who had inspired many students.
Roberts’ legal team is actively working to challenge the deportation order. His attorney, Alfredo Parrish, indicated that efforts are underway to reopen Roberts’ immigration case, which he believed had been resolved favorably based on a 2025 letter from a former attorney. In addition to the immigration issues, the U.S. Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into DMPS for potential race-based hiring practices. The probe focuses on a 2021 initiative aimed at increasing the number of teachers of color in the district, raising questions about compliance with federal employment laws.
Roberts’ detention and subsequent resignation have sparked protests among students and community members. Hundreds of high school students staged walkouts to express their support for Roberts and to protest the broader implications of immigration enforcement on educational leadership. As the legal proceedings continue, the DMPS board has appointed Matt Smith as the interim superintendent to ensure continuity in leadership and to address the challenges facing the district during this transitional period.
The situation underscores ongoing debates over immigration enforcement, educational leadership, and the complexities of employment verification in public institutions. As developments unfold, the Des Moines community remains engaged in discussions about the future direction of its public schools.
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