The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released new criminal information regarding Ian Andre Roberts, the illegal alien who was hired as superintendent of the K-12 Des Moines Independent Community School District.
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Roberts' extensive criminal history raises questions about how he passed the employment background check required to work in a school. In response, the district has filed a lawsuit against the consulting firm that vetted Roberts. However, board members are also under scrutiny for their lack of due diligence in reviewing his background and their limited interactions with him.
Democratic officials have protested Roberts' removal, but Joy Pullman, Executive Editor of The Federalist, suggested that his appointment reflects a broader issue within the system. "He’s the inevitable product of a system the Left has built for rewarding people for pushing hateful, un-American ideology at public expense and punishing excellence," Pullman wrote.
Roberts has lived in the U.S. for 29 years, during which time he has been convicted of offenses including reckless driving and unlawful possession of a loaded firearm. He has faced multiple charges, including criminal possession of narcotics with intent to sell and unauthorized use of a vehicle, according to DHS records.
DHS has also provided a timeline of Roberts' immigration status and criminal activities. He first entered the U.S. on June 1, 1994, on a B-2 tourist visa. His legal troubles began shortly thereafter, with charges in 1996 for narcotics possession and forgery in New York.
Roberts returned to the U.S. on an F-1 student visa in 1999, which he maintained until 2004. He applied for employment authorization in 2000, which was approved, but his green card applications were repeatedly denied. His criminal record continued to grow, with a conviction for reckless driving in 2012 and a series of weapons-related charges in 2020.
In 2025, Roberts was arrested by ICE officials in Des Moines, where he was found in possession of multiple firearms and a significant amount of cash. Following his arrest, the Des Moines school board placed him on unpaid administrative leave, and his teaching license was revoked due to his illegal status in the U.S.
On October 2, 2025, Roberts was charged with being an illegal alien in possession of firearms. The case has raised significant concerns about the vetting process for school administrators and the implications for student safety.
Beth Brelje is an elections correspondent for The Federalist and has extensive experience in investigative journalism.
Why it matters
- Roberts' criminal history raises serious concerns about the vetting process for school employees, highlighting potential risks to student safety.
- The lawsuit against the consulting firm underscores accountability issues in hiring practices within educational institutions.
- Democratic protests against Roberts' removal suggest a divide in public opinion regarding immigration and criminal justice policies.
What’s next
- The Des Moines school board will review its hiring policies in light of this incident.
- An investigation into the consulting firm's vetting process is expected to be initiated soon.
- Community forums may be held to address concerns about school safety and hiring practices.