Dr. Ian Roberts, recently appointed Superintendent of Des Moines Schools, finds himself in federal custody after fleeing from immigration agents. His appointment came in 2023, as the Des Moines School Board bestowed upon him a staggering salary of $270,000. In a state where educators often earn less than $50,000 per year, this figure raises significant eyebrows.
However, the salary is not the most troubling aspect of this story. The true concern lies with Roberts’ background. He is an illegal immigrant with a lengthy criminal record spanning decades. The Department of Homeland Security recently disclosed a comprehensive timeline of Roberts’ troubling history, revealing a pattern of legal violations that should have disqualified him from any leadership role in public education.
Roberts first arrived in the United States in 1994 on a tourist visa. His criminal activity began soon after, with his first arrest in New York in 1996 for multiple charges including narcotics possession with intent to sell and forgery. In the years that followed, he continued to violate the law, accumulating charges for unauthorized vehicle use and reckless driving. He faced weapons charges and was eventually convicted of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in Pennsylvania.
Roberts’ attempts to secure legal residency were repeatedly denied, yet he remained in the country, navigating the immigration system while accruing new charges. His arrests peaked with a dramatic encounter in September 2025, where he was apprehended in Des Moines with a Glock 9mm and a hunting knife, alongside $3,000 in cash. Facing charges for being an illegal alien in possession of firearms, Roberts raises a pressing question: how was he permitted to oversee the education of over 30,000 Iowa students?
The implications of this situation point directly to the Des Moines School Board, which either failed to conduct basic background checks or, more troublingly, chose to ignore Roberts’ past. Jackie Norris, the Board Chair, is critical to this scandal. A political figure rather than an educator, Norris’ ties as a former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama cast doubt on whether Roberts’ hiring was based on qualifications or political allegiance.
The overwhelming evidence of Roberts’ unfitness for public leadership roles starkly contrasts his former position. The question looms large: did the Des Moines School Board prioritize politics over the safety and education of their students? Given the facts, both potential scenarios reflect poorly on those in charge. With such significant oversight, calls for the resignation of the entire School Board are warranted.
Iowa families deserve educational leaders who uphold the law and prioritize the welfare of their students. The ramifications of these decisions extend beyond policy; they touch the very safety and learning environment for thousands of children entrusted to the education system.
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