In the latest unraveling of the fabric of common sense, students at North High School in Des Moines, Iowa, are rallying in support of their recently resigned superintendent, Dr. Ian Roberts. What makes this story both perplexing and troubling is not just the fact that Dr. Roberts stepped down, but the reasons behind his resignation and subsequent detainment by ICE.
Dr. Roberts, who was discovered to be in the United States illegally—despite a previous final deportation order—held the prestigious position of superintendent for the Des Moines Public School System. But his legal troubles don’t stop there; they’re peppered with past and likely current weapons charges. Apparently, this isn’t considered problem enough in some circles, as some students and middle schoolers were encouraged to join a walkout in solidarity. Evidently, being a role model now includes having a mugshot collection.
Senator Joni Ernst weighed in with a level of disbelief that echoes what most sensible Americans feel. It’s hard to wrap one’s head around the idea that someone who flouts the law with such regularity held a public trust position within an educational institution. It raises the question—how is the left consistently willing to rally behind individuals that thumb their noses at the basic laws of the land? It’s one thing to argue for compassion in immigration; it’s another to cheer for someone who seems to collect criminal charges like trading cards.
The school board’s chair, Jackie Noris, attempted to defend the hiring process by pointing to paperwork filled by Dr. Roberts—a driver’s license and a Social Security card. Wonder where those came from? Here’s a pro-tip for everyone engaged in hiring: “trust but verify,” as Ronald Reagan wisely said. Yet, despite waving a red flag with a previous gun charge, no one thought to dig deeper into his status during his tenure. His illegal voting registration in Maryland could have been yet another clue, but it seems the hint was missed.
With all this unfolding, perhaps the most head-scratching move is Jackie Noris using sympathies over this debacle to fundraise for her campaign. Yes, while dealing with this chaotic situation, she carves out time to ask for campaign contributions. Navigating political waters in Iowa might be complex, but tying one’s electoral wagon to a scandal involving an illegal gun-toting school authority seems to stretch political strategy into political comedy.
This situation speaks volumes to the broader issue confronting the nation: the systemic failure to follow through on enforcing immigration laws. It’s a tale as old as time—if rules are persistently bent or broken without consequence, expect chaos to step in. For Iowans, the choice appears clear-cut when deciding who they entrust with leading their educational future and uphold their state’s values.
