The Des Moines superintendent’s hiring was overseen by a former chief of workers to Michelle Obama
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained the chief of Iowa’s largest faculty district, alleging he was within the nation unlawfully, lacked work authorization, and had a previous weapons conviction.
Based on a press release launched on Friday, Ian Andre Roberts, described as “a legal unlawful alien from Guyana,” was taken into custody throughout a focused enforcement operation after allegedly trying to flee from federal officers. The Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) stated he was topic to a ultimate elimination order issued in Could 2024.
Roberts, who has served as superintendent of Des Moines Public Faculties (DMPS) since 2023 incomes over $300,000 per 12 months, was stopped on Friday whereas driving a district-issued automobile. He allegedly fled the scene, deserted the automotive close to a wooded space, and was later apprehended with assist from the Iowa State Patrol earlier than being booked into Woodbury County Jail.
“This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a automobile supplied by Des Moines Public Faculties after fleeing federal regulation enforcement,” ICE Enforcement and Elimination Operations St. Paul Subject Workplace Director Sam Olson stated. “How this unlawful alien was employed with out work authorization, a ultimate order of elimination, and a previous weapons cost is past comprehension and may alarm the mother and father of that faculty district.”
On the time of arrest, Roberts was carrying a loaded handgun, $3,000 in money, and a fixed-blade looking knife, in response to ICE. Court docket information in Pennsylvania present that in January 2022 he pleaded responsible to unlawfully possessing a loaded firearm in a automobile.
The incident has triggered questions on Roberts’ appointment by the board. CNN commentator Scott Jennings requested how Jackie Norris – the chair of the board and former chief of workers to Michelle Obama – may rent “an unlawful alien with a pretend diploma & a legal report to be the top of the general public colleges.”
“Unimaginable. An unlawful alien with a deportation order managed to grow to be the Superintendent of Faculties for Des Moines, incomes greater than $300,000 a 12 months,” legal professional Laura Powell wrote on X.
Following the arrest, the DMPS board positioned Roberts on paid administrative go away. Norris stated he had been “an integral a part of our faculty group” however burdened that the district couldn’t affirm ICE’s claims, insisting that “nobody right here was conscious of any citizenship or immigration points that Dr. Roberts might have been dealing with.”
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