Iowa superintendent immigration case: Universities deny credentials
Share this @internewscast.com

The superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools resigned on Tuesday following his detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and increasing scrutiny over his credentials and immigration standing.

Ian Roberts, who had been in charge of the 30,000-student district since 2023, stepped down after failing to meet a noon cut-off to present his citizenship papers to the school board. His lawyer, Alfredo Parrish, announced the resignation during a Tuesday press conference, citing Roberts’ concern for the well-being of students, staff, and educators as his reason for leaving.

ICE agents apprehended Roberts on Friday, claiming he had a loaded handgun, a fixed-blade hunting knife, and a large sum of cash on him. ICE reported that Roberts initially entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999 and was issued a removal order in May 2024.

The case has raised numerous questions about Roberts’ background. 

An investigation uncovered inconsistencies in his birthdate on different records. Athletic competition records note December 18, 1973, whereas court documents and his marriage certificate from 2017 list December 18, 1970.

Roberts’ academic credentials also appear inconsistent.

Universities deny credentials listed on Ian Roberts’ official biography 

Roberts’ LinkedIn profile and official biography claim he holds degrees from several institutions, including Morgan State University. However, Morgan State confirmed Roberts has “not received any degree or certificate” from them. While St. John’s University verified he obtained a master’s degree, they denied awarding a doctorate.

According to his attorney, Roberts earned a doctorate from Trident University, an online school. Furthermore, George Washington University could not find any record of bestowing upon Roberts the 2013 “Washington DC Principal of the Year” title, contradicting the claim in his official biography.

School board minutes from Roberts’ previous position at Mill Creek Township in Pennsylvania show officials questioned his credentials during the 2020 hiring process, noting he “lacked the educational certificate from his educational facilities that he obtained his doctorate.”

3a1c9ed2-d223-4564-a089-f54e4561d027Download

The resignation comes as the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division investigates alleged race-based discrimination in hiring practices at Des Moines Public Schools, which federal officials say violates federal law.

Parrish said his firm filed a motion to stay proceedings in Roberts’ deportation case and plans to file a motion to reopen his immigration case. He presented a letter dated March 27, 2025, from Roberts’ previous immigration attorney stating his case had reached “a successful resolution.”

School Board Chair Jackie Norris initially called for “radical empathy” when news of Roberts’ arrest broke. When asked about the board’s responsibility in his hiring, Norris said officials operated on the information provided and saw nothing suggesting questions about his citizenship.

Roberts, a native of Guyana and former Olympic athlete, had been registered to vote in Maryland with a 1970 birth date. That registration remained active despite his years away from the state.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Georgia Educators Advocate for Smaller Classes and Higher Salaries Before 2026 Legislative Session

ATLANTA (WJBF) – Just three months remain until the 2026 legislative session,…

Retailers Propose Rounding Prices to the Nearest Nickel to Eliminate Pennies

Internet Explorer 11 is not supported. For a better experience, please visit…

Cuban Foreign Minister Warns Rubio’s ‘Personal’ Agenda Threatens Trump’s Peace Efforts in Latin America

NEW YORK – Recent U.S. actions in the Caribbean stem from Secretary…

Tuition at Emory & Henry University Reduced by Half

EMORY, Va. (WJHL) — Emory & Henry will lower its undergraduate tuition…

Legal Action Alleges Ongoing Mold Problems at MacDill Base Housing

In June 2023, Leah Mullins and her Air Force husband began living…

News Channel 11’s Jeff Keeling Shares His Hurricane Helene Experience

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Over a year has passed since Hurricane…

Graduation Ceremony Celebrates Bristol, Virginia Recovery Court Participant

A ceremony took place Tuesday morning at the Bristol, Virginia Circuit Court…

The White House Revokes Nomination of E.J. Antoni for Bureau of Labor Statistics Director

The White House announced on Tuesday that it has withdrawn its nomination…

Another ICE Detainee Dies Following Shooting at Dallas Facility

Internet Explorer 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please use…

Johnson City Rotary Club Reveals ‘Peace Pole’ at Rotary Park

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Johnson City Rotary Club unveiled a…

What to Expect Following a Government Shutdown

IE 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please view our…

High School Sports Highlights and Scores (September 30, 2025)

Central Illinois (WCIA) – Catch up on the action with highlights and…