Grassley Presses DHS for Details Following Arrest of Des Moines Superintendent

WASHINGTON– Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, contacted Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem on Iowans’ behalf seeking additional information regarding former Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) Superintendent Ian Roberts’ criminal and immigration history. Grassley is additionally probing DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) processes for reviewing I-9 work authorizations, and questioning ICE’s oversight of work authorizations at DMPS. The senator requested a response from DHS by Friday, October 3.
Read Grassley’s full letterHEREand below.
September 30, 2025
The Honorable Kristi NoemSecretaryU.S. Department of Homeland SecurityWashington, D.C. 20528Dear Secretary Noem:
I am deeply troubled after learning that Ian Andre Roberts, who until his arrest had been superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, is allegedly an illegal immigrant with a criminal history. According to public reporting, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken Mr. Roberts into custody. An ICE press release, dated September 26, 2025, states that Mr. Roberts:
is “a criminal illegal alien from Guyana” who “has existing weapon possession charges” and who “was given a final order of removal by an immigration judge;”
was working as the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools despite having “no work authorization;”
fled from immigration authorities and local police, before ultimately abandoning his vehicle in a wooded area; and
was unlawfully in possession of a “loaded handgun” at the time of his arrest, as well as “$3,000 in cash and a fixed blade hunting knife.”
Parents in the Des Moines area are understandably concerned about this situation. I am writing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on their behalf to seek more information about Mr. Roberts’ case. Please provide answers to the following questions:
Given this highly concerning situation, please provide a response to these questions as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, October 3, 2025. Thank you for your prompt attention to this time-sensitive matter.
Sincerely,
Charles E. GrassleyUnited States SenatorChairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
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