Iowa Mother Slams School Board Over Superintendent's Arrest for Alleged Illegal Immigration

Arrest of Des Moines School Superintendent

• 📌 Dr. Ian Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was arrested by ICE on allegations of being in the United States illegally.
• 🚨 ICE states Roberts, an immigrant from Guyana, had a final order of removal from May 2024 and allegedly fled from agents before being apprehended.
• 🚗 Authorities found a handgun, a knife, and $3,000 cash in Roberts' district-owned vehicle after he reportedly sped away from agents.

School Board's Response and Parent Concerns

• 🏫 The school board chair, Jackie Norris, stated they were unaware of any immigration issues Roberts faced and are taking the accusations seriously.
• ❓ Norris called for "radical empathy" in addressing the situation, a sentiment that drew criticism from parents.
• 💬 Jennifer Cronin, a Des Moines mother, expressed that the community needs "radical honesty, transparency, and accountability" rather than empathy, emphasizing the safety of children.

Background and Hiring Process

• 🚢 Roberts entered the U.S. in 1999 on a student visa and his employment authorization expired in 2020, according to DHS.
• 🔫 ICE mentioned a prior weapons charge, which the school district acknowledged as a hunting rifle charge disclosed during hiring.
• ✅ The school district claims all background checks were completed and nothing was flagged, with Roberts reportedly signing paperwork confirming U.S. citizenship.
• 🚩 Cronin noted that Roberts recommended lifting the prohibition on hiring individuals with criminal backgrounds, which raised red flags for her as a parent.