Republicans are pressing Iowa Democrats over their positions on Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts' recent arrest and detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, putting federal immigration policy at the forefront of the 2026 midterms.

Roberts' Sept. 26 arrest by ICE agents for allegedly being in the United States illegally has stoked a nationwide immigration debate as elected officials and candidates question the superintendent's portrayal of his citizenship status and academic record.

While Republicans crack down on the need to aggressively enforce federal immigration laws, Democrats have said there's a need to cool political rhetoric and allow for the facts to emerge through the legal process.

The Des Moines school board voted Monday, Sept. 29, t

See Full Page