The arrest of former Des Moines superintendent Ian Roberts has left Iowa’s largest school district facing deep questions about trust, leadership and the future. Roberts resigned earlier this week after he was detained by federal immigration authorities last Friday.

According to a federal criminal complaint filed Wednesday, federal authorities allege Roberts has lacked legal work authorization since 2020. Roberts was hired as the Des Moines superintendent in 2023. Federal authorities also charged Roberts with federal gun violations.

Before Roberts' arrest last week, he had been widely seen as a strong leader for Des Moines Public Schools. For longtime DMPS principal Alex Hanna, the news has "been a lot to take in.”

“It’s just been really confusing and disappointing and heartbreaking,” Ha

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