DES MOINES — The Des Moines Public Schools superintendent has resigned while challenging his deportation after being detained by immigration authorities.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained Ian Roberts last week, saying the Guyana native was living and working in the United States illegally.
The district’s school board on Monday had voted to place him on unpaid leave and demanded that he clarify his citizenship by noon on Tuesday or face termination.
Roberts’ attorney Alfredo Parrish says he submitted his resignation on Tuesday in an effort to avoid causing a distraction for the school district. During a news conference held Tuesday afternoon, Parrish cautioned that the “very complex case” will take time to investigate.
The school board accepted his resignation on Tuesday evening during a special session.
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