In brief
Superintendent Ian Roberts of Des Moines public schools was detained by ICE agents, accused of living and working illegally in the U.S. His legal team is seeking to halt deportation proceedings. The school board has put Roberts on unpaid leave and awaits documentation confirming his legal work status, with potential dismissal proceedings looming.
DES MOINES, Iowa — In a developing story from Des Moines, Iowa, lawyers representing Ian Roberts, the head of the city's public school district, are actively asking an immigration court to halt deportation actions against him. Attorney Alfredo Parrish disclosed that his law firm lodged the request with the federal immigration court in Omaha relating to Roberts, without divulging specific details of the sealed filing. A press conference is expected later today.Roberts was detained last week by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with assertions that he has been residing and working in the U.S. unlawfully, being originally from Guyana. Following the arrest, the Iowa state board swiftly rescinded his superintendent license.The Des Moines school board responded with a vote on Monday night, placing Roberts on unpaid leave from his position, which oversees a district serving over 30,000 students and nearly 5,000 employees. Board chair Jackie Norris announced a time-sensitive requirement for Roberts' legal team to present proof of his eligibility to work in the U.S. by noon today or face dismissal action. A special session of the board may convene as early as this evening.Roberts, aged 54, has remained in custody at the Woodbury County Jail in Sioux City, around 150 miles northwest of Des Moines, since his arrest.
