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Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent detained by ICE

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 14:51 GMT by WOWT.com
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Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Detained by ICE in Unprecedented Raid

In a dramatic turn of events that has shocked the city’s education community, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS), Dr. Kevin Martinez, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a routine school‑district meeting on Friday night. The incident, captured on body‑cam footage released by the Des Moines Police Department (DMPD), sent shock waves through the district, local lawmakers, and the broader national conversation about the intersection of immigration enforcement and public institutions.

The Raid

The raid began at 8:15 p.m. at the DMPS headquarters on E. Sixth Street, where the superintendent, the district’s chief legal counsel, and a small group of administrators were holding a closed‑door meeting on the district’s new “Inclusive Excellence” initiative. According to an internal memo from DMPD Chief Inspector Luis Hernandez, ICE agents arrived in a blue van, identified themselves as federal officers, and demanded that Dr. Martinez present his passport and immigration documents. When he refused, citing the “non‑public” nature of the meeting, the agents detained him and escorted him to the adjacent police precinct.

DMPD released the body‑cam footage, which shows the superintendent calmly explaining that the meeting was “off‑the‑record” and that he had no pending immigration status issues. The agents’ subsequent statements on the video, however, were terse and focused on Dr. Martinez’s “unlawful presence” in the United States. ICE officials later clarified that they were acting on a warrant issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Iowa.

Legal Background

Dr. Martinez, 48, is a natural‑born citizen of the United States, holding both a B.S. in Education from the University of Iowa and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Columbia University. He has served as superintendent since 2022. The detention was triggered by a long‑standing ICE investigation into alleged “improper documentation” that had been filed by a former school administrator in 2021, which Dr. Martinez had inadvertently retained in a shared database. A review by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) found no evidence that Dr. Martinez had ever been in the country illegally.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, named for confidentiality, stated that the warrant was “issued to investigate a potential immigration violation” and that it “was not based on any allegations of wrongdoing by Dr. Martinez himself.” ICE’s press release further clarified that the detention was a “procedural action” pending the outcome of a court hearing scheduled for Thursday, October 3.

Immediate Reactions

The incident prompted immediate outcry from the district’s community and education leaders. In a statement released on the DMPS website, Dr. Martinez described the detention as “unprecedented, humiliating, and deeply troubling.” He added, “The superintendent’s job is to serve the students of Des Moines, not to be held hostage by a federal agency.”

Local politicians weighed in almost immediately. Rep. Maya Henderson (D‑District 5) tweeted, “This is a violation of civil rights and a blow to the educational community. We demand transparency and accountability from ICE.” Mayor Patrick McGowan called for an emergency city council meeting, stating that “our city’s educators should be protected, not persecuted.”

Advocacy groups for immigrant rights, such as Iowa Families United, also reacted strongly. “The detention of Dr. Martinez, a respected education leader, highlights how ICE’s overreach can destabilize institutions that rely on trust and collaboration,” said board member Alicia Martinez. “We are calling for a full investigation into the decision to detain a U.S. citizen and for reforms to prevent future incidents.”

Contextualizing the District’s Immigration Policy

The incident comes at a time when DMPS has been under scrutiny for its handling of undocumented students. In 2023, the district launched the “Safe Passage” program, intended to protect undocumented students from harassment and ensure their academic progression. However, the program faced criticism from some local parents who argued that it encouraged illegal immigration. Critics also pointed to a 2024 lawsuit filed by the parents of a former undocumented student, alleging that the district had failed to provide proper notification of the student’s legal status.

Dr. Martinez has publicly defended the district’s inclusive stance. In a recent interview with the Des Moines Register, he noted that “our priority is the well‑being of all students, regardless of their immigration status.” The superintendent’s detention, therefore, has the potential to inflame already‑tense debates over the district’s policies.

The Legal Proceedings

The federal court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, October 3, at the U.S. District Court in Des Moines. Dr. Martinez’s legal team has requested a full dismissal of the warrant and a public statement from ICE clarifying the basis for the detention. The court is expected to hear arguments from both sides, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Dr. Martinez’s counsel, who will argue that the detention was a violation of the superintendent’s Fourth Amendment rights.

ICE’s spokesperson has promised a “comprehensive review” of the incident. “We acknowledge that this case is complex and that it will require careful scrutiny of the facts and the legal process,” the spokesperson said in a statement released to the press.

A Broader Implication

The detention of a public school superintendent by ICE has resonated far beyond the city limits. It has sparked national conversations about the reach of federal immigration enforcement into public institutions, particularly in the wake of the Biden administration’s “zero tolerance” policy, which has been criticized for disproportionately targeting individuals in community settings. Critics of the policy argue that ICE’s involvement in public schools undermines trust between the community and educators, and that such actions can deter qualified individuals from seeking public service roles.

The DMPS board has already called for a meeting to discuss potential policy changes. “We are looking into whether our district’s data management practices could inadvertently expose personnel to federal scrutiny,” said Board President Lisa Reynolds. “We must ensure our compliance with federal law while protecting the integrity of our educational mission.”

Conclusion

The detention of Dr. Kevin Martinez by ICE during a DMPS meeting underscores the fraught landscape of immigration enforcement in the United States. While the legal proceedings are underway, the incident has already amplified debates over how federal agencies should interact with local public institutions. As Des Moines grapples with the fallout, the national spotlight on this case may serve as a catalyst for policy reforms that safeguard educators and, ultimately, the students they serve.