Des Moines Public Schools official calls for ‘radical empathy’ in ICE arrest of Ian Roberts
Des Moines Public Schools official calls for ‘radical empathy’ in ICE arrest of Ian Roberts
Reactions from across the state of Iowa and the country have been pouring in after Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday, Sept. 26.
In an emailed statement, the Department of Homeland Security called Roberts a “criminal illegal alien.”
Roberts allegedly sped away when officers approached his vehicle and identified themselves, and officers found his vehicle abandoned in a nearby wooded area. Inside was a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash and a hunting knife, the department said.
DHS states that Roberts has “existing weapon possession charges” from Feb. 5, 2020, although it’s not clear where those charges were filed or whether they were resolved.
Here’s how officials are reacting to the news.
Iowa State Education Association and Des Moines Education Association
“We were shocked to hear of Dr. Ian Roberts’s detainment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents early this morning. Since being hired as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, we have known Dr. Roberts to be a tremendous advocate for students, families, staff, and the community. His leadership and compassion for all students, regardless of background, identity, or family origin, are a beacon of light in one of the state’s most diverse school districts.
It is a dark and unsettling time in our country. This incident has created tremendous fear for DMPS students, families, and staff.
We call on the community to come together and support each other.”
US Rep. Ashley Hinson
“ICE arrested the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Ian Andre Roberts — an illegal alien from Guyana & active ICE fugitive with a deportation order since May 2024. When ICE caught him, agents found a loaded gun, a hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash,” Hinson posted on X.
“He should be deported immediately. He should have never been anywhere around Iowa kids in the first place!”
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn
“I stand with our law enforcement officers who uphold public safety. Unfortunate situations like today underscore exactly why we must fix our broken immigration system,” Nunn posted to X.
An individual with a prior weapons charge and an active deportation order should never have been placed in this position of public trust.
Since 2023, my office has opened more than 800 cases to help Iowans navigate immigration issues—and we’ll continue doing that work. In Congress, I’ll continue working with the administration on border and national security while expanding legal pathways to work and residency.”
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra
“Thank you to ICE for detaining the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools — an illegal immigrant with a criminal record who was caught with a loaded gun and $3,000 in cash.
He has had a deportation order since May of 2024!
He should never be near children,” Feenstra said on X.
U.S. Sen Chuck Grassley
In comments shared with KCCI, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley said he’d need to read the full details of the case to determine whether he thought ICE carried out its job well.
“When people violate that law, you and I would expect the law enforcement to carry out their job,” he said. “Now, whether they’re that doing it right in this particular case, I’d have to wait until I read the ICE report.”
U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs
Sharing another post about Roberts’ arrest, and in reference to Robert’s annual salary at DMPS, U.S. Sen. Andy Biggs, a Republican from Arizona, wrote on X: “If you live in Iowa, your tax dollars paid an illegal alien a $300,000 salary to oversee students and teachers. Unacceptable. We need mass deportations now.”
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz
Sharing another post about Roberts’ arrest, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, wrote on X: “Um, wut??”
DMPS superintendent’s arrest, ICE raids spur protests in Des Moines
See and hear protesters as they gather in Des Moines to protest ICE raids around Iowa and the arrest of Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Ian Roberts.
Iowa GOP
“DMPS leadership hired a criminal illegal alien with prior weapons charges to run Iowa’s largest school district.
This should have never happened. There needs to be accountability,” the Iowa Republican Party posted on X.
In a statement, Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said: “It is deeply disturbing that an illegal alien with weapons charges and a deportation order was ever hired to run Iowa’s largest school district.”
“He even ran from law enforcement when they came to apprehend him,” he added.
“Thankfully, officers showed diligence in pursuing and arresting him, and we support their efforts. Iowans elected President Trump to enforce our immigration laws, and he’s doing exactly that.”
Iowa Sen. Mike Bousselot
Iowa Sen. and a potential candidate for governor Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, weighed in on X in a what appears to be a now-deleted post, asking, “How does this happen? How does the biggest school district miss the red flags?” He suggested the Legislature might hold oversight hearings on the “scandal.”
Iowa Rep. Larry McBurney
In what appears to be a now-deleted 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.”
Julie Staunch
Iowa Democratic Governor candidate Julie Staunch posted a video on X, accompanied with text reading: “Kim Reynolds, RESIGN TODAY. ICE does NOT belong in Iowa! You have failed this state. Resign!”
In the video, Staunch said:
“This message is for Kim Reynolds and it’s a serious message. Right now, an acclaimed superintendent in the city of Des Moines has been arrested by ICE, who have clearly demonstrated they have no law enforcement training.
Kim, you are the governor of the people of Iowa. It’s time for you to act like you actually care about them. ICE does not belong in this state. Resign, today, step down and let somebody else get in there. And then also tell your lieutenant governor to do the same. We’ll have a special election in 30 days, and we’ll see who the next governor will be, but we know one thing: they will be better than you are.”
Nathan Sage
“Yesterday it was Jorge Elieser González Ochoa. Today it’s DMPS Superintendent Ian Roberts. This is unacceptable,” Nathan Sage, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate currently held by Sen. Joni Ernst, said on X.
“Iowans deserve answers and accountability from federal authorities. We cannot stay silent as members of our community are being swept away without cause,” he added.
The Directors Council
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.”
Des Moines Refugees Support
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?”
Progress Iowa
Mazie Stilwell, executive director of the liberal group Progress Iowa, demanded “answers and appropriate action” from elected leaders.
“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,” Stilwell, who noted she is a DMPS parent, said in a statement. “President Trump is willing to use political power against anyone who disagrees with him.”
Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice
Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice said: “As ICE continues to terrorize our communities and disappear our community members, this latest escalation highlights the need for communities to stand together and defend against ICE attacks.”
The group called on community members who “want to support Des Moines Public Schools and express their outrage at ICE tactics” to gather at the Federal Building in Des Moines, where ICE has its offices, on Friday evening.
The Uvalde Foundation For Kids
In its initial release this morning, the Uvalde Foundation for Kids, a foundation created to combat gun violence in schools in the wake of the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, condemned Roberts’ arrest, calling for more transparency from federal authorities.
“The detention of the superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district is an unprecedented and deeply alarming event that directly threatens the stability and trust essential for our children’s education,” reads the original release from Daniel Chapin, Founder of the Uvalde Foundation For Kids.
Chapin, though, in an updated release in the afternoon, praised ICE’s actions.
“We applaud the decision and actions of ICE agents in this case. There is no room in Des Moines schools for an individual who apparently has violent tendencies and a history of delinquency. What we wish to know is how does this happen at the highest level of school administration. We demand answers from DMPS immediately and will be requesting a formal review by the State Board of Education and other state officials.”
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 was updated to add more information.
Nick El Hajj is a reporter at the Register. He can be reached at nelhajj@gannett.com. Follow him on X at @nick_el_hajj.
