Hundreds of students walked out of schools in Des Moines, Iowa, to protest the detention of Ian Roberts, the city’s former superintendent. The 51-year-old immigrant was arrested on Friday for allegedly trying to evade arrest and possessing a loaded gun in his car. His lawyer says he is seeking deportation, but Roberts claims he wants to cooperate with authorities.
The protests have drawn national attention, with many students saying they are fighting for their beloved leader who supported them heavily. “We’re just sad about the fact that an extremely nice man that supported us heavily and really strongly is now taken away from us,” said Gabriel Doyle Scar, 17.
Roberts was hired by Des Moines Public Schools in 2023 as a highly qualified immigrant with a master’s degree. However, his true background has come under scrutiny, with ICE claiming he lied about his immigration status. The school district says it was unaware of Roberts’ past issues and had relied on documents he provided.
Despite the controversy, many community members continue to rally behind Roberts, calling for his release from a Sioux City jail where he is being held. Republicans in Iowa have called for investigations into the district’s hiring practices, while Democrats say they are fighting against “targeted enforcement” of immigration policies.
The case has sparked widespread debate about immigration policy and the role of schools in addressing these issues. As one parent said, “We were told by the current administration that they were going to get rid of people that didn’t belong here; that’s not what they’re doing.”
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/des-moines-iowa-superintendent-ian-roberts-ice-detained-rcna234470