Illegal migrant superintendent with criminal record also faked doctorate – and Des Moines knew before hiring

(Daily Caller News Foundation) – The illegal immigrant with a criminal record serving as a school superintendent who was recently nabbed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also lied about other things on his resume — including fabricating a doctoral degree.

Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) hired Ian Roberts despite knowing the Guyanese national lied about having received a doctoral degree in urban educational leadership from Morgan State University, the school board admitted on Wednesday. Roberts was arrested by ICE last month for defying a 2024 Final Order of Removal issued after he overstayed a student visa.

“I want to be clear. In a world of misinformation and disinformation, speculation becomes narrative and blame is rampant,” school board President Jackie Norris said in a statement. “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. We are committed to the community we serve and will find ways to improve our entire process as we move forward.”

The board said Roberts had the degree listed on his resume at the time, but the third-party consulting agency used by the district flagged the incorrect data. The resume was then updated to state Roberts did not complete the dissertation necessary to earn the degree, and the board said it “was aware Dr. Roberts did not graduate from Morgan State University at the time of his hiring.”

The Des Moines School Board did not respond to the DCNF’s request for comment. The board is planning a lawsuit against the search firm responsible for vetting superintendent candidates. Roberts’ work authorization in the U.S. expired in 2020, meaning he wasn’t eligible to work when the district hired him, according to a federal investigation.

Morgan State confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation that Roberts attended the university from 2002 to 2007, but did not receive a degree. The university did not address whether Roberts provided proof he was legally in the country at the time of his attendance.

Roberts first entered the country on a student visa in 1999. It is not clear when his legal status expired. He competed for Guyana in the 2000 Sydney Olympics as a mid-distance runner.

Roberts resigned from his position on Tuesday after being placed on administrative leave following his arrest. He was hired by the school in 2023 despite having a criminal record relating to the illegal possession of a firearm, which the school board was aware of.

At the time of his arrest, Roberts was found in possession of a loaded handgun, a hunting knife and $3,000 in cash.

While working in the district, Roberts helped push a policy that allowed more criminals to be hired at the schools. Now, the Department of Justice is investigating DMPS for “race-based hiring preferences” after it found several mentions of “Affirmative Action” related “hiring practices.”

Information was added to this Daily Caller News Foundation article.