Illegal Immigrant Runs Iowa’s Largest School District

An illegal immigrant with a criminal record was knowingly hired as superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district after faking a doctorate—exposing a stunning breakdown in vetting and accountability that leaves parents questioning who is really protecting our children and our values.

Story Snapshot

Des Moines Public Schools knowingly hired Ian Roberts as superintendent despite a falsified doctorate, illegal immigration status, and a criminal record.
Background checks revealed the false claim before hiring, but the school board proceeded regardless.
Roberts was later arrested by ICE, resigned, and had his superintendent license revoked as legal proceedings for deportation continue.
The scandal reveals systemic failures in public sector hiring and raises urgent questions about oversight and the safety of students and communities.

School Board Hired Superintendent Despite Red Flags

The Des Moines school board, responsible for Iowa’s largest district, hired Ian Roberts in 2023 as superintendent after a search process that should have guaranteed integrity. Instead, background checks revealed Roberts had falsely claimed a doctorate from Morgan State University. JG Consulting, the search firm hired by the district, flagged the false credential, but the board chose to move forward with Roberts anyway. With such a high-profile position, this decision bypassed basic standards, raising alarms about priorities and oversight in the current education system.

Roberts’ misleading resume was not the only issue. He was living and working in the United States illegally, with a final federal order of removal. Additionally, Roberts had a prior weapons charge on his record—information that the school district either failed to uncover or ignored. This combination of illegal status, a criminal background, and falsified academic achievement should have disqualified any candidate, yet Roberts was placed in charge of 30,000 students and the future of the district. The implications for the district’s safety and credibility are significant, especially as parents and staff realize the extent of the oversight failure.

ICE Arrest and Leadership Vacuum

In early 2024, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Roberts citing not only his illegal status but also the outstanding removal order and prior criminal charge. This arrest forced his resignation and triggered immediate revocation of his superintendent license by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. The district is now left scrambling for interim leadership, and many in the community feel betrayed by those entrusted with their children’s education. The incident has created a leadership vacuum and eroded trust, with parents demanding answers about how such a lapse was possible—and whether more is being done to protect students from similar threats in the future.

The school board attempted to portray itself as a victim of deception, yet records show officials were aware of the falsified doctorate before Roberts was hired. ICE officials and education policy experts have sharply criticized the district’s lack of due diligence and the broader risk posed by weak vetting. The fact that such a failure occurred at the top of Iowa’s public education system has made Des Moines a cautionary tale for districts nationwide, especially as calls grow for stricter hiring protocols and real accountability.

Broader Implications for Public Sector and Immigration Policy

This scandal comes at a time when the nation is re-examining the impact of past “woke” and globalist policies that prioritized diversity quotas and unchecked hiring over merit and security. The Roberts case demonstrates the real-world consequences: illegal immigrants with falsified credentials can ascend to positions of authority if basic vetting is ignored. For many parents, taxpayers, and education advocates, this is a direct attack on core American values—accountability, safety, and the rule of law. It also reinforces the urgent need for the kind of immigration enforcement and public sector reforms now being advanced in Washington to restore trust and protect families.

Illegal migrant superintendent with criminal record also faked a doctorate — and Des Moines knew before hiring https://t.co/dv8r5jHqYi

— Rudy Whippet (@RudyWhippet) October 3, 2025

As legal proceedings against Roberts continue, the Des Moines district faces intense scrutiny. Other school boards across the country are reportedly reviewing their own hiring procedures in response to the fallout. The community—students, staff, and parents—remains shaken, and political leaders are using the case to highlight the necessity of strong borders, rigorous background checks, and unwavering commitment to transparency. The scandal offers a stark reminder: when institutions fail to uphold standards, it is families and children who pay the price.