DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Public Schools and an immigration advocacy group say a student was detained in late September and later deported by ICE.

According to the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, a DMPS high school student attended a immigration check-in at the Federal Building, located in downtown Des Moines, and was taken into custody by ICE agents. At the time of the check-in, the student had been accompanied by a guardian and by immigrants rights advocates.

Iowa MMJ states the student was transferred to the Hardin County Jail before later being taken to a detention center in Louisiana. The student was reportedly able to briefly make contact with their guardian four days after being detained, but was not heard from again until after being deported, the Iowa MMJ says.

In a statement, DMPS Interim Superintendent Matt Smith said, “Des Moines Public Schools is aware that one of our high school students was detained by federal immigration authorities late last month. This situation did not occur on or near school property. We understand that news like this can cause concern among our students, families, and staff. Our schools are committed to being safe, welcoming places for every student with principals, teachers and staff who care about their well-being.”

The Iowa MMJ says advocates have contacted Iowa congress members and asked them to step in and reunite the student with their guardian and find a legal pathway that will protect the student.

“ICE is hurting our communities. They’re arresting, detaining and disappearing children,
community leaders, workers and fathers,” said Erica Johnson with Iowa MMJ. “This is not about
public safety; it’s about taking away people’s fundamental freedoms and rights.”

According to their website, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ) is a statewide membership-based advocacy and legal service organization driven and led by immigrant and refugee voices and united with allies whose mission is to build a movement for justice led by immigrants and refugees in Iowa by providing high-quality legal services and community empowerment through organizing.

The alleged detainment of this DMPS high school student occurred around the same time as the detainment of former DMPS superintendent Ian Roberts. Court records state that Roberts has pleaded not guilty to federal charges and will face trial later this year.