Des Moines schools Superintendent Ian Roberts has been detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement agents, Jackie Norris, the school board’s president, announced in an email that was sent to district employees early this afternoon and shared with news media.

Roberts, who has been the district’s superintendent since July 2023, was detained by ICE on Friday morning, Norris wrote in the email. “We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps.”

Roberts’ parents are immigrants from Guyana, a country on the northeastern coast of South America, according to Roberts’ biographical information on the district’s website. Roberts grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., and attended college in the U.S. He was a 2000 Olympian in track and field, representing Guyana; and has held several positions in education in the U.S.

It was not immediately known whether Roberts’ detention was tied to a search this morning on the city’s south side conducted by ICE agents and other area law enforcement, including a safety officer from the school district, reported by KCCI.

Norris, in her email, wrote that Matt Smith has assumed the role of interim superintendent.

“Our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees,” Norris wrote. “The appointment of Mr. Smith as Interim Superintendent ensures that our District continues to operate at the highest level.”

Smith previously served as interim superintendent during the 2022-23 school year.

The Business Record is covering a press conference held by DMPS beginning at 3 p.m. and will update this story.