Detention by ICE: Timeline of former Des Moines school superintendent Ian Roberts’ detention and resignation

*This story may be updated.

On Sept. 26, Des Moines school superintendent Ian Roberts was detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement. Originally born in Guyana, Roberts allegedly entered the U.S. in 1999 under a student visa and received an official order of deportation in May 2024, according to ICE. He allegedly remained in his position with Des Moines schools with no work authorization, officials said. Roberts detainment lead to protests held across Iowa. 

Sept. 26

• ICE apprehends Ian Roberts, who allegedly attempted to flee them in the process, officials said. According to federal immigration authorities, officers found his vehicle had $3,000 in cash, a loaded handgun and a hunting knife before locating him and taking him into custody.

Sept. 28

• The Iowa/Nebraska NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) shared a press release, stating the following: “Since his detention, the NAACP has been actively engaged at local, state, and national levels, and in communication with Dr. Roberts’ attorney. We urge caution against rushing to conclusions and continue calling for transparency and full due process.”  

• In the same press release, the NAACP shared a message from  Roberts: “He expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from individuals and organizations nationwide and reaffirmed his commitment to education and ensuring students thrive.”
• A report from the Des Moines Register revealed that Roberts underwent a background check prior to being hired. According to a district news release, “Employers, including DMPS, are required to verify employment eligibility for all employees. In this case, Dr. Roberts completed the I-9 employment eligibility verification form and submitted the required documentation.”
• The same district news release revealed that the school board was not aware of Roberts’s deportation notice from May 2024. “A news release distributed by ICE states Roberts was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024,” the district’s release states. “The district did not have any knowledge of this situation or the order of removal.”

Sept. 29

• Iowa state education officials revoked Roberts’ education license. 
• The Des Moines School district placed him on unpaid administrative leave.

Sept. 30

• Roberts attorney, Alfredo Parrish, announced during a press conference that Roberts has resigned his position as superintendent, and his law firm would work to reopen his immigration case.

Oct. 1

• Questions have arisen about the veracity of Robert’s educational background.

From Des Moines schools: Resume Clarification from DMPS Regarding Ian Roberts

“For clarification purposes, the Des Moines School Board wants to provide additional context on the current speculation surrounding Dr. Roberts’ resume.

• Dr. Roberts provided an initial resume to JG Consulting that indicated he earned a doctorate from Morgan State University.
• During the background check, which was the responsibility of the search firm, the degree error was flagged, and the resume was revised to note ABD, or “all but dissertation,” which is required to earn such a degree.
• The revised resume is what Board members had when they interviewed the finalists.
• The Board was aware Dr. Roberts did not graduate from Morgan State University at the time of his hiring.

After Dr. Roberts was hired in May 2023, there was a FOIA request for the documents related to his hiring. At that time, DMPS reached out to JG Consulting to ask them to provide a copy of the documents. The documents provided by JG Consulting included the original resume and not the revised resume.

“I want to be clear. In a world of misinformation and disinformation, speculation becomes narrative and blame is rampant. The Des Moines School Board is also a victim of deception by Dr. Roberts, one on a growing list that includes our students and teachers, our parents and community, our elected officials and Iowa’s Board of Educational Examiners, and others,” said school board President Jackie Norris. “We are committed to the community we serve and will find ways to improve our entire process as we move forward.”

Ian Roberts: View his resignation letter and his previous attorney’s letter about his immigration case