Ian Andre Roberts, an undocumented immigrant from Guyana, was arrested by ICE after leading the Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa’s largest school district. Roberts, who overstayed a student visa since 1999, had been registered as a Democrat voter in Maryland despite not being a U.S. citizen. Records show he received mail-in ballots starting in 2020, during what some describe as the most secure election cycle.
Roberts, who has a criminal record involving weapons charges, was found armed with a Glock and a knife during his arrest and attempted to evade authorities. Republican officials have raised concerns about his eligibility to vote and the integrity of Maryland’s election systems. A state delegate highlighted that non-citizens are not permitted to register for federal or state elections, yet Roberts remained on the rolls.
The House Freedom Caucus has demanded explanations from Maryland’s State Board of Elections, criticizing what they call flaws in the state’s voting processes. They also questioned why the board resisted sharing voter data with federal authorities, citing fears of immigration enforcement. Critics argue that allowing non-citizens to vote undermines election security and calls for immediate action to address such vulnerabilities.