Iowa’s High College Superintendent Detained By ICE

[ad_1] by Daniel Johnson September 27, 2025

Roberts, a former Olympian and Guyanese immigrant, turned the primary Black particular person to supervise the most important college district in Iowa when he was appointed the superintendent of Des Moines public colleges in 2023.

On Sept. 26, Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) brokers detained former Olympian and Guyanese immigrant Dr. Ian Roberts, who in 2023 turned the primary Black particular person to supervise the most important college district in Iowa when he was appointed the superintendent of Des Moines public colleges.

In response to The Guardian, the Division of Homeland Safety alleges that Roberts was arrested because of the existence of “a remaining order of elimination and no work authorization.”

Per their assertion given to the outlet, their justification for the arrest is as follows: “Throughout a focused enforcement operation on Sept. 26, 2025, officers approached Roberts in his automobile after figuring out himself, however he sped away. Officers later found his automobile deserted close to a wooded space. State Patrol assisted in finding the topic and he was taken into ICE custody. Roberts has current weapon possession prices from February 5, 2020. Roberts entered america in 1999 on a pupil visa and was given a remaining order of elimination by an immigration choose in Might of 2024.”

As The Des Moines Register stories, the arrest despatched shockwaves by means of the area people, epitomized by College Board Chair Jackie Norris’ feedback at a information convention.

“We should not have all of the info. There may be a lot we have no idea,” she stated through the press convention. “Nonetheless, what we do know is Dr. Roberts has been an integral a part of our college group since he joined two years in the past.”

With no warning, ICE has detained Des Moines Public Colleges Superintendent Ian Roberts. No motive has but been supplied for the detainment.

Roberts is a local of Guyana and a former Olympic Athlete, and by all accounts is a well-regarded member of the Des Moines group.… pic.twitter.com/BlqWb8fXaY

— Senator Chris Larson (@SenChrisLarson) September 26, 2025

In response to Norris, Affiliate Superintendent Matt Smith will function interim superintendent till additional discover, Smith previously served because the interim superintendent earlier than Roberts was appointed to his place in June 2023.

The college district, in the meantime, stated in an announcement to the outlet that it “has not been formally notified by ICE about this matter, nor have we been in a position to speak with Dr. Roberts since his detention.”

Per ICE Enforcement and Elimination Operations St. Paul Subject Workplace Director Sam Olson, “This must be a wake-up name for our communities to the good work that our officers are doing day by day to take away public security threats. How this unlawful alien was employed with out work authorization, a remaining order of elimination, and a previous weapons cost is past comprehension and will alarm the dad and mom of that college district.”

Nonetheless, the one factor that the arrest of Roberts, a former mid-distance runner for his native Guyana through the 2000 Olympic Video games in Sydney, has garnered is protests and alarm from group teams and members {that a} trusted member of the group was arrested by ICE on what seem to be doubtful circumstances.

That is downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The group has come out in help of Dr. Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Colleges, who was detained by Trump's Nazi ICE Gestapo. 😳👇 pic.twitter.com/9VLO5Bwu05

— Invoice Madden (@maddenifico) September 27, 2025

BREAKING: A big crowd of individuals protesting immigration enforcement has fashioned outdoors the Neil Smith Federal Constructing in downtown Des Moines. The protest was sparked by the detainment of Des Moines Public Colleges Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts earlier right this moment. @weareiowa5news pic.twitter.com/IqV3HoEsuM

— Meghan MacPherson (@meghankmac) September 26, 2025

As soon as once more, they’re NOT going after “harmful criminals.” On this case it’s a preferred and revered superintendant, who labored as a particular ed instructor, competed within the Sidney Olympics, and has lived in and contributed to this nation for at the least three a long time. https://t.co/7lJk0CXTao

— austerity is theft (@wideofthepost) September 26, 2025

In response to an announcement from The Administrators Council, an umbrella group of a number of nonprofits targeted on Des Moines’ Black group, posted to Fb, Roberts is “a valued member of our board,” whose detention at the moment lacks context and clarification.

The group continued, “Dr. Roberts has been a trusted accomplice, a devoted advocate for fairness, and an unwavering supporter of households and youth in Polk County. His contributions to each The Administrators Council and the broader group are immeasurable, and we stand with him throughout this unsure second.”

Alison Hoeman, founding father of a neighborhood nonprofit, Des Moines Refugees Help, indicated to the outlet that her telephone has been blown up with calls and texts providing help for Roberts, and he or she has indicated that she is conscious that college students have been asking about Roberts with concern, ““‘Nothing’s going to occur to Dr. Roberts, proper?’”

She continued, “You realize it’s the Black and Brown youngsters who're nervous. If it’s Ian Roberts who’s in bother, what does that imply for them?”

Mazie Stilwell, govt director of the liberal group Progress Iowa, indicated that “solutions and acceptable motion,” are wanted from Iowa’s elected officers within the face of deep uncertainty over Roberts’ arrest.

Stilwell, the father or mother of a pupil enrolled in DPMS, continued, “No Iowan is secure. We’re residing below a fascist regime as a result of Nunn, Miller-Meeks, Hinson and each single Iowa Member of Congress has been in lockstep with the MAGA administration that's terrorizing our communities. President Trump is keen to make use of political energy in opposition to anybody who disagrees with him.”

To Stilwell’s level, the Republicans in Iowa, together with U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, whose district consists of the DMPS, have been publicly supportive of the arrest of Roberts, whereas Democrats, like Iowa Rep. Larry McBurney (D-Des Moines) indicated on social media that he was “livid” in regards to the arrest of Roberts.

“This isn't solely unacceptable, it's an outright shame,” he stated in an announcement. “Our colleges ought to by no means be handled as political battlegrounds for federal overreach.”

Rep. McBurney continued, “I maintain President Trump and Iowa’s delegation — Congressman Zach Nunn, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Senator Joni Ernst — straight answerable for this motion. Their silence or complicity is not going to go unnoticed. If they've any shred of management, they have to intervene instantly.”