Recently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained a superintendent in Iowa. Now, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the school district over its alleged diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

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From the Washington Examiner:

ICE officers detained Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, on Monday, alleging he was living and working in the country illegally. He has lost his state license and has been placed on unpaid leave. On Tuesday afternoon, he resigned from his position.

The DOJ sent a letter to the system’s interim superintendent, Matthew Smith, informing him of the investigation into the district’s alleged diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon is informing the district of the Title VII inquiry, and acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Eric Sell will lead it.

“Our investigation is based on information that DMPS may be engaged in employment practices that discriminate against employees, job applicants, and training program participants based on race, color, and national origin in violation of Title VII,” Dhillon wrote.

According to Dhillon, the school district was quoted as stating, “Diversity enriches the climate and strengthens the effectiveness of our schools.” The district also reportedly set “race-and-color-based teacher recruitment goals.” Dhillon said the DOJ has not reached any conclusions, but is currently considering relevant info.

According to the Examiner, it’s unclear if the detainment of Roberts is related to the DOJ’s investigation, although it is telling that a school allegedly pushing DEI would also allegedly hire and illegal immigrant. Roberts, currently awaiting immigration proceedings in an Iowa jail, is expected to be deported.

President Trump has, in his second term, cracked down hard on DEI programs in schools around the country. The Examiner notes that the Department of Education has pulled millions in grants from school districts in Virginia, New York, and Illinois over similar DEI programs.

As the Trump administration continues to push back on divisive DEI programs and policies, let’s pray for boldness, strength, and wisdom!

How are you praying about DEI in our schools? Share your prayers and scriptures below.

(Excerpt from the Washington Examiner. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America – Harmeet Dhillon, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127056806)