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Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts has been arrested by U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement and held at the Pottawattamie County Jail, according to federal and local officials.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed Roberts' detention and said a court had issued a "final order of removal" for Roberts' deportation in May 2024.
She said Roberts abandoned his car and fled from police on Friday, and he was found in possession of a loaded handgun, a large amount of cash and a hunting knife.
A message from Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris posted Friday, Sept. 26, said Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as interim superintendent until further notice. DMPS officials said they did not know why Roberts had been detained.
"This action follows Dr. Ian Roberts being detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this morning. We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps," the release states.
Roberts, 54, has served as Des Moines Public Schools superintendent since July 2023. The Guyana native grew up in Brooklyn and was also a superintendent in Pennsylvania.
Smith previously served as interim superintendent during the 2022-23 school year.
A press conference will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the district offices on Fleur Drive.
That would put him in close proximity to the Omaha Immigration Court, the closest federal immigration court to Des Moines.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website lists Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts in custody in Pottawattamie County on Sept. 26, 2025.
Provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Data from Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), a research organization at Syracuse University, from early September showed Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs had a daily average of 37 ICE detainees. The jail typically holds an annual average of 38 people for ICE, Pottawattamie County Jail Administrator Trisha Bernhards said.
Pottawattamie County Jail can hold somewhere between 95 to 100 federal inmates, she said. Thirty-five beds are for ICE detainees.
Before a career in education, Roberts competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in track and field for Guyana as a mid-distance runner.
More: Who is Ian Roberts? What to know about the Des Moines superintendent arrested by ICE
"The City of Des Moines is learning of Dr. Roberts’ detainment alongside the rest of the community," she said. "At this time, we do not have any additional information regarding this incident as the Des Moines Police Department was not involved and did not have prior knowledge of this search."
The Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a news release that state troopers were called by ICE for help "in locating an individual who fled from a traffic stop initiated by their agents" at about 8:45 a.m. Friday.
Reynolds "is in contact with the Iowa Department of Public Safety and federal authorities," Mauro said.
"Dr. Roberts has been a trusted partner, a dedicated advocate for equity, and an unwavering supporter of families and youth in Polk County," the statement posted to Facebook read. His contributions to both The Directors Council and the wider community are immeasurable, and we stand with him during this uncertain moment."
Alison Hoeman, founder of the local nonprofit Des Moines Refugees Support, said she was stunned when she heard the news and that her phone “blew up” this morning with texts from friends and volunteers already looking for ways to support Roberts. She has learned from families of Des Moines Public School of students calling their parents, asking, “‘Nothing’s going to happen to Dr. Roberts, right?’”
“You know it’s the Black and Brown kids who are worried," she said. "If it’s Ian Roberts who’s in trouble, what does that mean for them?”
Mazie Stilwell, executive director of the liberal group Progress Iowa, demanded "answers and appropriate action" from elected leaders in a statement.
"No Iowan is safe. We’re living under a fascist regime because Nunn, Miller-Meeks, Hinson and every single Iowa Member of Congress has been in lockstep with the MAGA administration that is terrorizing our communities," said Stilwell, who noted she is a DMPS parent. "President Trump is willing to use political power against anyone who disagrees with him."
"This is not only unacceptable, it is an outright disgrace," he said. "Our schools should never be treated as political battlegrounds for federal overreach."
McBurney said he's called on Iowa's congressional delegation, including Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, to take action.
"I hold President Trump and Iowa’s delegation — Congressman Zach Nunn, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Senator Joni Ernst — directly responsible for this action. Their silence or complicity will not go unnoticed. If they have any shred of leadership, they must intervene immediately."
Pursuant to the Board-approved DMPS leadership succession plan, Matt Smith, Associate Superintendent, will immediately step into the role of Interim Superintendent until further notice. This action follows Dr. Ian Roberts being detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this morning. We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps.
Our 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.
Mr. Smith previously served DMPS as Interim Superintendent during the 2022-2023 school year. The Board has the highest confidence in Mr. Smith’s leadership at this time. We know you have many questions, and we will provide updates as we learn more confirmed information. We thank you and appreciate your support.
Jackie Norris, Board President
Des Moines Public Schools
This story will be updated.
Reporter Amanda Tugade contributed to this report.
My first AN post, I'm sorry if I'm retarded.
Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts has been arrested by U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement and held at the Pottawattamie County Jail, according to federal and local officials.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed Roberts' detention and said a court had issued a "final order of removal" for Roberts' deportation in May 2024.
She said Roberts abandoned his car and fled from police on Friday, and he was found in possession of a loaded handgun, a large amount of cash and a hunting knife.
A message from Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris posted Friday, Sept. 26, said Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as interim superintendent until further notice. DMPS officials said they did not know why Roberts had been detained.
"This action follows Dr. Ian Roberts being detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this morning. We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps," the release states.
Roberts, 54, has served as Des Moines Public Schools superintendent since July 2023. The Guyana native grew up in Brooklyn and was also a superintendent in Pennsylvania.
Smith previously served as interim superintendent during the 2022-23 school year.
A press conference will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the district offices on Fleur Drive.
Roberts being held in Iowa jail
According to ICE's website, Roberts is in the agency's custody, currently detained at the Pottawattamie County Jail.That would put him in close proximity to the Omaha Immigration Court, the closest federal immigration court to Des Moines.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website lists Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts in custody in Pottawattamie County on Sept. 26, 2025.
Provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Data from Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), a research organization at Syracuse University, from early September showed Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs had a daily average of 37 ICE detainees. The jail typically holds an annual average of 38 people for ICE, Pottawattamie County Jail Administrator Trisha Bernhards said.
Pottawattamie County Jail can hold somewhere between 95 to 100 federal inmates, she said. Thirty-five beds are for ICE detainees.
Who is Ian Roberts, Des Moines' superintendent?
Roberts became the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in July 2023. He succeeded longtime Superintendent Tom Ahart, who resigned at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.Before a career in education, Roberts competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in track and field for Guyana as a mid-distance runner.
More: Who is Ian Roberts? What to know about the Des Moines superintendent arrested by ICE
Iowa State Patrol assisted in arrest, DMPD not involved
Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen said in a statement that city officials, including the police department, did not have advance notice that Roberts was to be detained."The City of Des Moines is learning of Dr. Roberts’ detainment alongside the rest of the community," she said. "At this time, we do not have any additional information regarding this incident as the Des Moines Police Department was not involved and did not have prior knowledge of this search."
The Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a news release that state troopers were called by ICE for help "in locating an individual who fled from a traffic stop initiated by their agents" at about 8:45 a.m. Friday.
Governor in contact with state and federal officials
Mason Mauro, a spokesman for Gov. Kim Reynolds, said in a statement that Reynolds was informed Friday morning that Roberts was taken into custody by ICE agents.Reynolds "is in contact with the Iowa Department of Public Safety and federal authorities," Mauro said.
Reactions to Superintendent Ian Roberts' arrest
The Directors Council, an umbrella group of several nonprofits focused on Des Moines' Black community, said in a statement that Roberts is "a valued member of our board" and it is seeking details on the circumstances of his detention."Dr. Roberts has been a trusted partner, a dedicated advocate for equity, and an unwavering supporter of families and youth in Polk County," the statement posted to Facebook read. His contributions to both The Directors Council and the wider community are immeasurable, and we stand with him during this uncertain moment."
Alison Hoeman, founder of the local nonprofit Des Moines Refugees Support, said she was stunned when she heard the news and that her phone “blew up” this morning with texts from friends and volunteers already looking for ways to support Roberts. She has learned from families of Des Moines Public School of students calling their parents, asking, “‘Nothing’s going to happen to Dr. Roberts, right?’”
“You know it’s the Black and Brown kids who are worried," she said. "If it’s Ian Roberts who’s in trouble, what does that mean for them?”
Mazie Stilwell, executive director of the liberal group Progress Iowa, demanded "answers and appropriate action" from elected leaders in a statement.
"No Iowan is safe. We’re living under a fascist regime because Nunn, Miller-Meeks, Hinson and every single Iowa Member of Congress has been in lockstep with the MAGA administration that is terrorizing our communities," said Stilwell, who noted she is a DMPS parent. "President Trump is willing to use political power against anyone who disagrees with him."
State legislator blames Trump, GOP congressional delegation
In a post on Facebook, Iowa Rep. Larry McBurney, D-Des Moines, said he was "furious" to learn about Roberts' arrest."This is not only unacceptable, it is an outright disgrace," he said. "Our schools should never be treated as political battlegrounds for federal overreach."
McBurney said he's called on Iowa's congressional delegation, including Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, to take action.
"I hold President Trump and Iowa’s delegation — Congressman Zach Nunn, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Senator Joni Ernst — directly responsible for this action. Their silence or complicity will not go unnoticed. If they have any shred of leadership, they must intervene immediately."
Read the entire DMPS letter to the Des Moines schools community
"On behalf of the Board of the Des Moines Public Schools, I wish to share information of immediate importance to the DMPS community.Pursuant to the Board-approved DMPS leadership succession plan, Matt Smith, Associate Superintendent, will immediately step into the role of Interim Superintendent until further notice. This action follows Dr. Ian Roberts being detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this morning. We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps.
Our 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.
Mr. Smith previously served DMPS as Interim Superintendent during the 2022-2023 school year. The Board has the highest confidence in Mr. Smith’s leadership at this time. We know you have many questions, and we will provide updates as we learn more confirmed information. We thank you and appreciate your support.
Jackie Norris, Board President
Des Moines Public Schools
This story will be updated.
Reporter Amanda Tugade contributed to this report.
My first AN post, I'm sorry if I'm retarded.
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