Unexpected Arrest Leads to School Superintendent's Suspension
The head of the biggest school district in Iowa was unexpectedly suspended from his duties. This decision was taken after he was apprehended by federal immigration officers who claimed he was residing in the country illegally.
The school board in Des Moines came to a unanimous decision to put Superintendent Ian Roberts on a paid leave during a quick special meeting. The board recognized that Roberts wasn't in a position to execute his responsibilities for the school district, which consists of 30,000 students. They also mentioned they would reevaluate his status once they have more information at their disposal.
Superintendent's Arrest Shocks School Board
The president of the school board, Jackie Norris, gave a statement after the meeting. She expressed that the news of Roberts' arrest was quite unsettling. However, she also noted that the board didn't have all the details yet.
According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Roberts was detained for being in the country illegally, lacking the necessary authorization to work, and being under a final removal order issued six years ago. It is said that Roberts was stopped by the ICE agents while he was in a school-issued vehicle and he attempted to escape into a forested area before being captured with the assistance of Iowa State Patrol officers.
Superintendent's Case Under Investigation
Roberts was held in a jail located in Sioux City, in the northwest of Iowa, roughly 150 miles away from Des Moines. Norris, the school board president, emphasized that no one on the board was aware of any immigration or citizenship issues that Roberts might have been dealing with. She expressed that the allegations made against Roberts were quite severe and were being taken very seriously.
Roberts has secured legal representation from a law firm in Des Moines. The lawyer confirmed his firm was representing Roberts but chose not to comment on the specifics of the case.
Superintendent Cleared Background Checks
Norris also pointed out that the school district had conducted a background investigation on Roberts before he was hired, which didn't reveal any issues. Roberts had also signed a form affirming his U.S. citizenship. The company that assisted in the superintendent search in 2023 hired another firm to conduct a thorough check on Roberts' criminal, credit, and background details which didn't indicate any citizenship problems.
On the same day, the Iowa Department of Education released a statement saying Roberts claimed he was a U.S. citizen when he applied for an administrative license. The department stated that the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners conducted a criminal history check with state and federal authorities before issuing a license.
Superintendent's Background Under Scrutiny
Roberts' past is being reviewed in light of the recent events. He had previously stated he was born to immigrant parents from Guyana and spent a significant part of his childhood in Brooklyn, New York. He had even represented Guyana in the 2000 Olympics in track and field.
It has been stated that Roberts entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999. A retired senior official from the Guyana Police Force remembered Roberts as a middle-distance runner who could have had a successful career in the South American country's police force if he hadn't moved to the U.S. The official described Roberts as a good, promising, and disciplined man who served for a few years before moving on.