The facts are now clear: Ian Roberts was under an active deportation order while he served as the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. Parents deserve clarity, accountability, and answers on how this happened.
Driving the news: The Department of Justice has officially confirmed to my office — through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request — that Mr. Ian Andre Roberts was subject to a final removal order issued by a federal immigration judge in May 2024 after failing to appear for his immigration hearing.
Ian Roberts was under a standing legal obligation to depart the United States, yet he remained in a position of public trust, leading our state’s largest school system.
🎥 I broke down how Ian Roberts evaded the law and what must happen now to ensure accountability ⬇️
Why it matters: This case raises urgent questions about how Ian Roberts was ever allowed to hold positions of public trust. From New York to Pennsylvania to Iowa, he appears to have lied his way into leadership roles — exploiting weak vetting systems and slipping through safeguards meant to protect students and families.
If this can happen in Des Moines, the largest school district in Iowa, it can happen anywhere. That’s why I’m committed to holding local, state, and federal officials accountable to confirm the immigration status of individuals being considered for positions of public trust.
Bottom Line: Iowans deserve leaders who are fully vetted, legally authorized, and worthy of the trust we place in them. I’ll keep fighting for transparency and accountability to make sure this never happens again — in Iowa or anywhere else.