Des Moines, IA – Dr. Elena Rodriguez, the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Friday morning, leading the school board to place her on immediate administrative leave.
The arrest took place at Dr. Rodriguez’s Des Moines residence, according to local authorities. While specific details remain limited, initial reports indicate that ICE agents were acting on a federal warrant related to an alleged immigration violation stemming from a period prior to her tenure in Des Moines. The nature of the alleged violation has not been publicly disclosed by federal officials.
Following the unexpected development, the Des Moines Public Schools Board of Directors convened an emergency meeting. After deliberations, the board voted unanimously to place Dr. Rodriguez on administrative leave, effective immediately. Associate Superintendent Mark Thompson has been appointed to serve as interim superintendent to ensure the continuity of district operations.
“This is an unprecedented and deeply concerning situation for our district,” said Sarah Chen, President of the Des Moines School Board, in a statement released Friday afternoon. “Our immediate priority is to ensure the continuity of learning for our students and stability for our staff. Dr. Rodriguez has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately, and we have appointed an interim superintendent to guide us through this period of uncertainty while we gather more information and review the facts.”
A spokesperson for ICE offered a standard statement regarding enforcement actions. “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducts targeted enforcement actions in accordance with federal law. We do not comment on ongoing investigations,” the spokesperson stated when asked about the superintendent’s arrest.
Dr. Rodriguez’s legal representative, Michael Davis, issued a statement denying any wrongdoing on his client’s part. “Dr. Rodriguez vehemently denies any wrongdoing. We are fully cooperating with authorities to clarify what we believe is a misunderstanding regarding her immigration status. We trust that due process will reveal the truth,” Davis said.
Dr. Rodriguez has served as Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools for the past five years, a period during which she oversaw significant curriculum reforms and improvements in student performance metrics. Her arrest has sent shockwaves through the community, with parents, teachers, and city officials expressing surprise and concern for the district’s leadership during this challenging time.
The school board emphasized its commitment to transparency and stated that it would provide further updates as more verifiable information becomes available. The duration of Dr. Rodriguez’s administrative leave and the next steps in the legal process remain unclear.
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