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1h ago

Des Moines Superintendent Put on Leave After ICE Detention Over Alleged Illegal Status

State officials say his license application asserted U.S. citizenship, prompting a review of hiring practices.

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 5: Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is sworn-in during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on "Rightsizing Federal Government," on Capitol Hill, on February 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. The hearing comes as the Trump administration embarks on an aggressive effort to shrink the federal workforce via a variety of ways, including the president's call for mass resignations. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)
Photo Courtesy of ICE
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Overview

  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says Ian Roberts lacked work authorization and was under a final removal order issued in May 2024 when agents detained him.
  • The Des Moines school board voted unanimously to place Roberts on paid administrative leave, citing his unavailability to lead the 30,000-student district.
  • ICE says agents stopped Roberts in a school-issued vehicle, he fled into a wooded area, and he was apprehended with help from the Iowa State Patrol.
  • Authorities reported finding a loaded handgun in the vehicle, with a state report also noting a fixed-blade knife and more than $3,000 in cash.
  • District and state officials say pre-hire checks did not flag immigration issues as Republicans seek a probe and preservation of hiring records, and Gov. Kim Reynolds called the arrest shocking.