(Des Moines, IA) -- The Des Moines School Board has voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Ian Roberts, who was taken into ICE custody last week on charges that include being in the United States illegally.
Roberts, was arrested on Friday, September 26, during what federal officials described as a “targeted enforcement operation.”
Attorney Alfredo Parrish, who represents Roberts, said his client had previously hired an attorney in Texas to resolve his immigration status.
“Doctor Roberts had a prior attorney in Texas. I'm going to share a letter that was received from the prior attorney telling his case had been closed successfully, and he was under the impression that it had been,” said Parrish.
Parrish said his office is now working to reopen Roberts’ immigration case.
“Two of our staff actually drove over to Omaha and filed the motion to stay. Today we are in the process of filing a motion to reopen the case,” said Parrish.
Roberts is currently being held in ICE custody. Parrish says that Roberts believed his immigration status was settled, but they haven't seen the documents.
“So that’s what we are in the process of trying to dig through. We haven’t gotten access to the file yet. As far as we have gotten is enough information to file the motion for stay and now request free open,” said Parrish.