ICE arrests Iowa school superintendent in apparent mistake
Thomas Ahart, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while attending a routine immigration appointment for his wife. The Iowa native and U.S. citizen was released after authorities realized the error. The incident has sparked outrage and social media backlash.
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, Thomas Ahart, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa, was arrested by ICE agents outside an immigration office. Ahart, a lifelong Iowan born in the state, was accompanying his wife to a scheduled appointment when federal agents detained him, citing an unspecified immigration issue. He was held overnight before being released the following day after officials confirmed his U.S. citizenship status.
The Des Moines school board responded swiftly, appointing Matt Varilek, a former senior adviser to Michelle Obama during her time as first lady, to lead their defense and advocacy efforts. Varilek, who previously served as a political director for Obama, stated, "This is a clear case of mistaken identity that has caused unnecessary distress to a dedicated public servant and his family." The board issued a statement demanding transparency from federal authorities, saying, "We are shocked and outraged by this overreach, and we will not rest until those responsible are held accountable."
Ahart has led the Des Moines district since 2012, overseeing one of Iowa's largest public school systems with about 31,000 students. Colleagues described him as a committed educator with no prior immigration concerns. The arrest occurred amid heightened scrutiny of ICE operations under the Biden administration, though officials have not detailed the specific trigger for the detention.
Social media platforms lit up with reactions following reports of the incident. Users on X (formerly Twitter) called it a "crazy story," with hashtags like #FreeAhart gaining traction. One prominent post read, "An American citizen arrested by ICE at his wife's appointment? This is dystopian." Critics highlighted potential flaws in federal databases, while supporters of stricter immigration enforcement urged caution until full facts emerge. The episode underscores ongoing debates about ICE's detention practices and their impact on communities.
As of Friday, October 13, 2023, Ahart has returned to work, but the school board continues to seek legal recourse. No further ICE statements have been released, leaving questions about preventive measures unresolved.