The following is from the office of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is releasing new information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) outlining the Des Moines Public Schools’ (DMPS) alleged failure to utilize the E-Verify system and its implications for the case of former Superintendent Ian Roberts.

After Grassley requested information from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem last week, DHS informed Grassley’s office today that it could not find any record that “Des Moines Public Schools” had been enrolled in E-Verify (unless listed under an alternate name or parent organization). The department stated Roberts should not have had any valid documentation showing employment authorization.

DHS also noted that, if an E-Verify case had been created using an expired Employment Authorization Document (EAD), it would have resulted in a nonconfirmation.

DHS on Friday publicly released information responsive to Grassley’s request regarding Roberts’ criminal and immigration history.

The following information, shared directly with Grassley’s office, is an additional response to Grassley’s questions on Iowans’ behalf:

• Does Des Moines Public Schools participate in E-Verify?
  • “The E-Verify program cannot find any record that Des Moines Public Schools have ever been enrolled in E-Verify, unless they may be enrolled under an alternate name or parent organization.”
• If not, could the use of E-Verify have prevented Mr. Roberts from obtaining employment given his work authorization status?
  • “Based on the facts that USCIS is aware of, Mr. Roberts should have not possessed any valid documentation evidencing employment authorization. If an E-Verify case had been created using an expired Employment Authorization Document (EAD), it would have resulted in a nonconfirmation.”