Michelle Obama and her team are now calling out President Trump.
Iowa Democrats are under fire after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools for allegedly being in the United States illegally. The scandal has shaken local parents and taxpayers — and it has national implications because the official defending him is a former top aide to Michelle Obama.
Superintendent Arrested – Accused of Fleeing from ICE
According to ICE officials, Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, was taken into custody after a dramatic incident in which he fled federal agents, abandoned his car in the woods, and was later tracked down by Iowa State Patrol.
Authorities say Roberts is an illegal immigrant from Guyana who has a final order of removal issued by a federal judge in May 2024. Even more shocking, ICE reports that Roberts was carrying a loaded weapon in a school-owned vehicle when he was arrested.
“This illegal alien was hired to run a taxpayer-funded school district despite a weapons charge, a deportation order, and no legal right to work in the U.S.,” said ICE St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson. “Parents should be very concerned about how this was allowed to happen.”
Michelle Obama Connection – School Board Chair Calls for ‘Radical Empathy’
Leading the defense of Roberts is Jackie Norris, the current school board chair for DMPS. Norris previously served as Michelle Obama’s White House Chief of Staff, making her one of the former First Lady’s most trusted insiders.
Instead of condemning Roberts, Norris issued a statement urging the community to have “radical empathy” as the case unfolds.
“There is much we do not know,” Norris said. “What we do know is that Dr. Roberts has been an integral part of our school community.”
Her remarks have sparked outrage among parents and conservatives, who argue that school leadership is protecting an illegal alien over the safety of children and taxpayers.
Republicans Launch State Investigation
Iowa Republicans are demanding accountability and taking immediate action. State lawmakers are opening a formal investigation into how Roberts was hired in the first place and whether other school districts across the state are failing to follow proper hiring procedures.
“I will not hesitate to introduce legislation to strengthen hiring protocols and protect Iowa families,” said State Rep. Austin Harris. “Parents deserve a lawful, safe, and transparent education system for their children.”
The Iowa House Government Oversight Committee has already directed DMPS to preserve all documents related to Roberts’ hiring.
How Did This Happen?
According to district officials, Roberts’ legal status was supposedly verified through a third-party background check, but the process failed to detect his deportation order and weapons charge.
ICE confirmed that Roberts first entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999. He later faced a weapons possession charge in 2020, which should have been a red flag.
“This case exposes massive failures in the system,” Olson warned. “It should be a wake-up call for every community.”
Why This Matters
This controversy highlights a growing concern among parents nationwide: illegal immigrants in positions of power over children. Critics say this is a direct result of Democrat policies that weaken border security and undermine immigration enforcement.
Supporters of President Donald Trump argue that his strong border policies and focus on law and order are essential to preventing similar incidents in the future.
With the 2025 election season heating up, this case is sure to become a major flashpoint in the national debate over immigration, public safety, and the role of federal law enforcement.
Bottom Line
- Illegal immigrant superintendent arrested by ICE with a loaded weapon.
- Michelle Obama’s former top aide defends him, urging “radical empathy.”
- Iowa Republicans launch investigation to protect schools and parents.
- Raises urgent questions about Democrat leadership and border security.
