Des Moines school board placed Supt. Ian Roberts on administrative leave after ICE agents arrested him, alleging he is in the country illegally.

Roberts oversees Iowa’s largest school district with 30,000 students; officials say hiring background checks revealed no immigration issues.

Federal agents said Roberts was subject to a removal order issued in 2024.

DES MOINES — Officials put the leader of Iowa’s largest school district on administrative leave Saturday, a day after federal immigration agents arrested him because they said he was in the country illegally.

The Des Moines school board voted unanimously to place Supt. Ian Roberts on paid leave. The board said during a three-minute meeting that Roberts was not available to carry out his duties for the 30,000-student district and

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