DOJ Investigates Des Moines Public Schools Following Superintendent’s Arrest

The Department of Justice (DOJ) initiated an investigation into Des Moines Public Schools (DMP) on Tuesday after the superintendent was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Ian Roberts, a citizen of Guyana who is in the U.S. illegally, has a criminal record linked to the illegal possession of a firearm. After being taken into custody by ICE on Friday, Roberts was placed on administrative leave by the school district, and he has since decided to resign.

According to reports, Roberts was advocating for changes within the district to alter employment practices aimed at hiring individuals with criminal backgrounds in the name of diversity. This push has now drawn the attention of the DOJ, which is examining whether these employment methods are racially biased.

Harmet K. Dhillon, the Attorney General for the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, stated, “DEI initiatives and racially-based employment preferences violate federal anti-discrimination laws and compromise educational objectives. It’s essential that school districts halt these illegal programs and revert to merit-based hiring practices that benefit both students and staff.”

DMP has not commented on the investigation.

The Trump administration had previously launched similar investigations into universities and school districts concerning these issues, emphasizing that such discriminatory practices are unacceptable.

The DOJ pointed out that various statements and policies from DMP indicate a commitment to diversity, which includes employing specific “employment practices” as part of their educational framework. The district also outlined a “positive action plan” with a goal to boost the percentage of teachers of color.