Des Moines Schools' Superintendent Arrested, Resigns Amid Immigration Charges
The Des Moines Public Schools district, Iowa's largest, faces a storm of controversy following the arrest and subsequent license revocation of its superintendent, Julia Roberts. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency arrested Roberts on Sept. 26, alleging she was in the country unlawfully and had no work authorization. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners swiftly revoked her license to practice as a superintendent in the state on Sept. 28, leading to her resignation on Sept. 30.
Roberts, who oversaw approximately 30,000 students and 5,000 employees, was accused of falsely identifying herself as a U.S. citizen during her job application. She presented a driver's license and Social Security card for her I-9 employment eligibility verification form. Following her arrest, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed the Des Moines school board that Roberts was an unauthorized worker, providing a copy of the final order of removal issued by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The arrest has triggered a series of events, including an investigation by the Justice Department's civil rights division into the district's hiring practices. The investigation began on Sept. 30, aiming to determine if the district engages in discriminatory hiring practices.
Roberts remains in custody at the Woodbury County Jail as of Sept. 30. The Des Moines school district now faces the challenge of finding a new superintendent while also cooperating with the federal investigation. The district's tumultuous start to the new school year has raised questions about its hiring practices and the future of its leadership.
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