The Iowa State Board of Education has revoked the administrative license of Ian Andre Roberts, who was the principal of a public school in Des Moines. Roberts, an undocumented immigrant, was arrested last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to reports, Roberts, who is originally from Guyana, had previously been deported from the U.S. in May 2024 by a federal immigration judge.
During his arrest, authorities discovered $3,000 in cash, a fixed-blade hunting knife, and a loaded handgun in a vehicle linked to him. As an undocumented immigrant, Roberts is not allowed to possess firearms.
An Iowa education official announced on Monday that Roberts’ administrator license, which he received in July 2023, had been revoked.
Des Moines registration:
“Our offices cannot maintain licenses issued by the Iowa Education Review Board because they have information indicating the individual no longer has legal status in the United States,” stated Michael Cabin, executive director of the Board, in a letter to Roberts dated September 28. “…The license from the Education Review Board is invalid, and your authority to serve has been revoked.”
The Iowa Department of Education released a statement about these changes on the morning of September 29.
Roberts was appointed as principal of Des Moines Public Schools by the School Board in July 2023 following a nationwide search that considered input from the board, teachers, families, and community members.
The school board highlighted Roberts’ passion for educational excellence, diversity, equity, inclusion, and innovation as a reason for his appointment.
Since his arrest, questions have emerged regarding whether Roberts had misrepresented himself on an employment verification form that stated he was a U.S. citizen eligible for work.
As of now, Roberts remains detained at the Woodbury County Jail.
