An actual DUmmy "Best of" regarding "Dr." Ian Roberts, former Des Moines Supt.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'm a touch surprised they didn't go to the mat for this guy, but even they agree that this illegal immigrant was a flim-flam man. There are always a few who suggest leniency, but mostly they want to hit the eject button on this clown:

BlueWaveNeverEnd (11,478 posts)
Wed Oct 1, 2025, 11:55 AM
5
Recommend
Dr. Ian Roberts, the school superintendent snatched by ICE, didnt have doctorate
Ian Roberts had no doctorate as claimed on Millcreek application https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2025/10/01/ian-roberts-had-no-doctorate-as-claimed-on-millcreek-schools-application-des-moines-ia-erie-pa/86440896007/


This guy's life in America may have all been one big lie.


Ian Roberts accused of lying about earning doctoral degree
https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/ian-roberts-accused-of-lying-about-earning-doctoral-degree/


New allegations have emerged surrounding the credentials of the former superintendent of the Millcreek School District.

The Des Moines Register has reported Ian Roberts never received a doctoral degree from Morgan State University, as he has claimed.

This astonishing allegation is just one of many that have come to light in the past week, since Roberts was arrested by ICE agents in Iowa.

SickOfTheOnePct (8,690 posts)
12. And now he's been taken from the county jail...
Reply to BlueWaveNeverEnd (Original post)
Thu Oct 2, 2025, 01:30 PM
...by the DoJ pursuant to a federal arrest warrant.

https://www.wqad.com/article/news/state/ian-roberts-custody-des-moines-public-schools-woodbury-county-jail/524-e02288d4-3926-4dbe-b5cd-72e70fceadff

BlueWaveNeverEnd (11,478 posts)
13. He has an order of deportion under the Biden Administration and long history of lying like George Santos
Reply to SickOfTheOnePct (Reply #12)
Thu Oct 2, 2025, 02:17 PM
he will be back in Guyana soon.

Jose Garcia (3,306 posts)
15. Why the heck wasn't this deported sooner?
Reply to BlueWaveNeverEnd (Reply #13)
Thu Oct 2, 2025, 03:15 PM
He wasn't hiding.

BlueWaveNeverEnd (11,478 posts)
16. Before Trump 2.0, immigrants were issued orders of deportion and then left alone. Foe 20 years and longer
Reply to Jose Garcia (Reply #15)
Thu Oct 2, 2025, 03:23 PM
That's the cruelty part of US immigration. 10 20 30 years of living in America under order of deportion..when finally picked up.. "he built a life, had kids, owns a home.."

MichMan (16,029 posts)
20. Similar to people filing asylum claims who are most likely not eligible
Reply to BlueWaveNeverEnd (Reply #16)
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 10:36 AM
The process can be cruel.

Coming here for work without having a green card, does not qualify, but people learned if they say the word asylum, they get to stay while their claims are adjudicated. Takes 3-5 years before their claims are heard, and when they get denied (as most do) they face deportation. All of that after starting to build a life here for a few years.

Jose Garcia (3,306 posts)
22. So, it was more like a final deportation suggestion

BlueWaveNeverEnd (11,478 posts)
23. Yeah. USA lets immigrants imbed their lives in America
Reply to Jose Garcia (Reply #22)
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 03:54 PM
Then it's a shock and traumatic when they finally are forced out.

They interview deported in Mexico.. it's all "I have to get back"

BlueWaveNeverEnd (11,478 posts)
14. here he is dodging birth place question

https://youtu.be/b0YsVLCSv_4

MichMan (16,029 posts)
17. The Des Moines school board needs to all resign for hiring this fraudster
Reply to BlueWaveNeverEnd (Original post)
Thu Oct 2, 2025, 05:46 PM
MIT and George Washington dispute Ian Roberts' claims about academic credentials, honors


DES MOINES — More universities have denied claims from Des Moines Public Schools' former superintendent about his education and accomplishments, raising questions about how thoroughly Iowa's largest school district vetted his application.

For years, former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts, 54, had claimed he completed programs and was honored at several universities, including Morgan State University and MIT’s Sloan School of Management. Roberts had long stated that he received a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Morgan State University in July 2007.

Morgan State confirmed to the Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network, on Sept. 30 that Roberts did not obtain a degree from the school, despite attending from the fall of 2002 through the spring of 2007. An MIT spokesperson later told the Register that the school does not have records of Roberts attending.

In addition, Des Moines Public Schools officials wrote in a 2023 news release announcing Roberts' hire that he had previously been honored by the George Washington University as its District of Columbia "Principal of the Year." But a George Washington spokesperson told the Register on Sept. 30 that the "university has no record of awarding such recognition to DC principals, and did not present this award."


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/mit-and-george-washington-dispute-ian-roberts-claims-about-academic-credentials-honors/ar-AA1NHC6L?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=LCTS&cvid=68de7a27da80456086371e7db0909079&ei=57

MichMan (16,029 posts)
18. This will likely derail the US Senate campaign of Des Moines School Board president Jackie Norris
Reply to MichMan (Reply #17)
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 10:02 AM
After finding out he misrepresented his resume, they should have dug deeper to investigate the rest of his claims. Instead they let him revise one claim to having a doctorate degree, resubmit it, and hired him anyway. Norris, a former Chief of Staff for Michelle Obama, did her campaign for Iowa US Senate no favors, and should resign from the school board.




Des Moines School Board claims it was deceived by Ian Roberts. What to know

DES MOINES, Iowa — Members of the Des Moines School Board have faced flak in the wake of controversies stemming from former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts.

On Oct. 1, the Associated Press reported that Roberts had not completed one of the doctoral degrees he provided on his initial resume to JG Consulting, which DMPS hired to search for superintendent candidates. JG Consulting flagged the error, and the resume was revised to note that Roberts completed all but his doctoral dissertation, which is required to earn such a degree.

DMPS said the board was aware that Roberts did not complete the doctorate from Morgan State when it hired him.

"The Des Moines School Board is also a victim of deception by Dr. Roberts, one on a growing list that includes our students and teachers, our parents and community, our elected officials and Iowa's Board of Educational Examiners, and others," board chair Jackie Norris said in a statement following news of Roberts' false doctoral claim.


https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/des-moines-school-board-schools-superintendent-ian-roberts-controversy-falsifying-degree-work-authorization-ice/524-cc321247-ffcd-4def-9042-6eb9e0dc2422?ref=exit-recirc

markpkessinger (8,862 posts)
25. So why is the media continuing to call him "Dr. Roberts?" n/t

SickOfTheOnePct (8,690 posts)
26. He has a different doctorate...
Reply to markpkessinger (Reply #25)
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 06:03 PM
...from some online university.

And the Des Moines school board filed a lawsuit today against the company they hired to vet him.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220689643

[ADsOutburst]

DU has (probably unintentionally) highlighted how bad our immigration enforcement has been. Where else in the world could somebody receive a deportation order, and then just be left alone?

[SVPete]

DU has (probably unintentionally) highlighted how bad our immigration enforcement has been. Where else in the world could somebody receive a deportation order, and then just be left alone?

  Yep, they admitted that actually deporting persons illegally present in the US has been low or no priority, and that the system can be and is gamed by illegals.

BTW, Part 1, the guy overstayed a student visa rather than entering illegally. BTW, Part 2, Des Moines was the third school system in three states that failed to do a minimal background check. BTW, Part 3, the guy was a registered voter in PA and voted by absentee ballot. BTW, Part 4, one person responsible for his hiring was a mangler on HilLIARy's campaign staff.

This wasn't really, "He fooled us," but three school districts refusing to do minimal background check, probably (IMO) due to him being an immigrant and his skin color.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

BlueWaveNeverEnd (11,478 posts)
16. Before Trump 2.0, immigrants were issued orders of deportion and then left alone. Foe 20 years and longer
Reply to Jose Garcia (Reply #15)
Thu Oct 2, 2025, 03:23 PM
That's the cruelty part of US immigration. 10 20 30 years of living in America under order of deportion..when finally picked up.. "he built a life, had kids, owns a home.."

I'm trying to reconcile this with how these ass hats would act if someone got roped up for not paying taxes for 30 years.

"But he used that money to build a life, raise kids, buy a home..."

I suspect their repsonse would be somewhere along the line of, "Yes, but he ignored the law. He knew what his obligations were and he chose to disregard those obligations."

[BamaMoose]

It appears that this guy criminal and immigration history is a lot more complicated than previously reported:

WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released new information on criminal illegal alien Ian Andre Roberts, who was serving as Des Moines, Iowa’s school superintendent at the time of his Sept. 26 arrest.

Image
roberts
When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials approached Roberts, he identified himself then sped off, abandoned his vehicle, and hid in a brushy area about 200 meters away, where ICE officers located him with help from Iowa State Patrol officers. At the time of arrest, a loaded handgun, hunting knife and $3,000 cash were found in his vehicle. On Oct. 2, he was charged with being an illegal alien in possession of firearms.

Roberts’ rap sheet and immigration history reveal a long record of criminal conduct in the United States. He should never have been serving in a role overseeing children in Iowa’s largest school district.

“Ian Andre Roberts, a criminal illegal alien with multiple weapons charges and a drug trafficking charge, should have never been able to work around children,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “When ICE officers arrested this Superintendent, he was in possession of an illegal handgun, a hunting knife, and nearly $3,000 in cash. This criminal illegal alien is now in U.S. Marshals custody and facing charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearms. Under Secretary Noem, ICE will continue to arrest the worst of the worst and put the safety of America’s children FIRST.”

His criminal record includes the following:

July 3, 1996: Charges for criminal possession of narcotics with intent to sell, criminal possession of narcotics, criminal possession of a forgery instrument and possession of a forged instrument in New York.
Nov. 13, 1998: A charge for third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle in Queens, New York, which was dismissed July 6, 1999.
Nov. 1, 2012: A conviction for reckless driving, unsafe operation and speeding in Maryland.
Feb. 3, 2020: Charges for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (having a loaded firearm outside his home or business); third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (an ammunition feeding device); and fourth-degree weapon charges. A document from Feb. 4, 2020, indicates that the second-degree criminal possession charge was inchoate.
Jan. 20, 2022: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania convicted Roberts of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm.
Sept. 26, 2025: Roberts was arrested with a Glock 9mm pistol and a fixed-blade hunting knife in his possession. He also had $3,000 in cash.
Oct. 2, 2025: Roberts criminally charged with being an illegal alien in possession of firearms.
Roberts’ immigration history includes two visas, four Green Card applications and subsequent denials, and several trips:

June 1, 1994: Roberts entered the United States at John F. Kennedy International Airport on a B-2 nonimmigrant visa; he was classified as a visitor for pleasure. He departed the U.S. on an unknown date but returned before his 1996 arrest for narcotics possession.
March 8, 1999: He entered the U.S. through California’s San Francisco International Airport as an F-1 student visa holder. The visa was set to expire March 7, 2004. He departed the U.S. on an unknown date.
June 28, 1999: Roberts reentered the U.S. through San Francisco on the same F-1 student visa. He departed the U.S. on an unknown date.
Aug. 30, 1999: He again reentered the U.S. at JFK International Airport on the same student visa.
Feb. 9, 2000: Roberts filed an application for employment authorization, which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approved April 5, 2000, with an expiration date of April 1, 2001.
Sept. 4, 2000: He left the U.S. from JFK International Airport.
Sept. 30, 2000: Roberts entered the U.S. again at JFK International Airport on the same F-1 student visa.
May 21, 2001: He filed a green card application with USCIS, which the agency rejected Jan. 3, 2003.
May 15, 2018: Roberts filed another green card application with USCIS, which the agency again rejected on May 30 that year.
June 4, 2018: Roberts filed another green card application, which USCIS rejected for the third time June 20 that year.
July 15, 2018: He filed for employment authorization documents, which USCIS granted on Dec. 18 that year, giving the documents an expiration date of Dec. 18, 2019.
July 16, 2018: Roberts filed, for the fourth time, a green card application. USCIS denied it Jan. 24, 2020.
Nov. 18, 2019: He filed another application for employment authorization documents, which USCIS approved Dec. 3 of that year and issued an expiration date of Dec. 18, 2020.
Feb. 11, 2020: Roberts updated his address with USCIS.
Oct. 2, 2020: USCIS issued him a notice to appear before an immigration judge.
May 22, 2024: An immigration judge in Dallas, Texas, ordered Roberts removed in absentia.
April 24, 2025: An immigration judge in Dallas denied Roberts’ motion to reopen his case.
Sept. 26, 2025: ICE officials arrested Roberts in Des Moines, Iowa.
Roberts is now in U.S. Marshals custody and will be prosecuted for his recent crimes.

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/10/03/dhs-releases-new-information-extensive-criminal-history-illegal-alien-ian-roberts

So, in addition to faking his educational credits, with his criminal history and his immigration status one has to ask, "How in the Hell did he pass a background check?".  Now it's coming out that they knew that he lied about his PHD and they still hired him.  Did they ignore all the other all red flags?  And what about all the other personnel in that school district?  If I had a child in that school system, I'd want every employee's records and qualifications to be reviewed by an independent auditor.

[SVPete]

...
So, in addition to faking his educational credits, with his criminal history and his immigration status one has to ask, "How in the Hell did he pass a background check?".  ...

The IA school district, at least, has admitted they didn't do a background check. If he worked in Baltimore schools, those are such scandalous failures that they probably didn't, either.

[CollectivismMustDie]

Wow, just look at all those racist DUers.

 

[Ralph Wiggum]

The IA school district, at least, has admitted they didn't do a background check. If he worked in Baltimore schools, those are such scandalous failures that they probably didn't, either.

As I've said before (perhaps not here, but certainly amongst like-minded friends), this dude was selected purely based on melanin content. He fit the perfect mold, except for that laundry list of suspect behavior, as noted above, during his peripatetic career.

[FlippyDoo]

That might be what they're saying, but you know that some of them are at least thinking...

Look people, yeah, he may have done some things that some may view as questionable AND lied about his credentials and stuff, but we need to focus on the important thing: he checked the proper boxes. What does the supposed "bad" stuff matter if the proper boxes are checked?

[DLR Pyro]

BlueWaveNeverEnd (11,478 posts)
23. Yeah. USA   The democrat party lets immigrants imbed their lives in America
Reply to Jose Garcia (Reply #22)
Fri Oct 3, 2025, 03:54 PM
Then it's a shock and traumatic when they finally are forced out.

They interview deported in Mexico.. it's all "I have to get back"

fixed

[enslaved1]

It appears that this guy criminal and immigration history is a lot more complicated than previously reported:

Yeah, it's defiantly not something that can be summed up in a headline or a tweet, especially not like some have tried to make it sound like he just swam across the Rio Grande and landed a superintendent job.  But there were plenty of red flags in hindsight at least that he should not have been hired if people, third party or not, were paying attention. 

Speaking of third parties, one thing that keeps coming up as more details come out is third party background checks "missing" criminal, immigration, and even educational problems (apparently he claimed to have received a doctorate, but never finished the program).  More cracks in the system that no one D or R seems to have been interested in fixing over the last 20-30 years.

[Ralph Wiggum]

A little update from yesterday:

Former DMPS superintendent Ian Roberts pleads guilty to federal charges after ICE arrest
Updated: 4:35 PM CST Jan 22, 2026

Former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Ian Roberts pleaded guilty to two federal charges following his September 2025 arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Roberts was taken into custody by federal officials on Sept. 26, 2025. According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE officers approached Roberts in his DMPS-issued vehicle and Roberts sped away, later abandoning the vehicle near a wooded area. After an extensive search of the area in and around Ewing Trace Mobile Home Park on Des Moines' south side, Roberts was located with the assistance of the Iowa State Patrol.

At that time, DHS reported that Roberts was in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in case and a fixed-blade hunting knife.

Roberts wore a striped Polk County Jail inmate uniform Thursday afternoon when he pleaded guilty to making a false statement for employment and for being "an illegal alien in possession of a firearm" in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

The false statement charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release. The firearm possession charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release. The sentences can also be ordered to be served consecutively, for a total of 20 years in prison.

Roberts will remain in custody as he awaits sentencing, which has been scheduled for May 29.

https://www.kcci.com/article/ian-roberts-des-moines-guilty-plea-ice-arrest-firearms-case/70080531