In an unexpected twist, Radule Bojovic, a Montenegrin national working as a police officer in Hanover Park, Illinois, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for residing in the United States illegally. The arrest took place on Thursday morning in a Rolling Meadows parking lot while Bojovic was off duty.
President Donald Trump's administration continues to enforce immigration laws, as evidenced by Operation Midway Blitz, under which Bojovic's arrest was made. The federal operation targets criminal illegal aliens in the Chicago area, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emphasizing its goal to remove significant offenders from Illinois communities.
Bojovic entered the United States on a B-2 tourist visa, which mandated his departure by March 31, 2015. However, records show that he remained in the country for over ten years past the required exit date. According to financial records, Bojovic began his tenure with the Hanover Park Police Department on January 8, 2025, and received a starting salary of $78,955.70. His total earnings for 2025 were reported as $205,707, including taxes paid.
During the arrest, documented by Ben Bergquam of FrontlineAmerica.com, Bojovic expressed his affection for the United States. He confirmed having submitted work authorization documents during his hiring process and acknowledged his on-duty firearm authorization. ICE officials noted that Bojovic was unarmed at the time of his arrest, as his firearm authorization did not extend to off-duty hours.
The case has brought scrutiny to the hiring practices of the Hanover Park Police Department. Assistant Secretary at DHS, Tricia McLaughlin, criticized Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for allowing an individual living illegally in the U.S. to serve as a police officer. The Department's statements highlighted the seriousness of an illegal alien possessing a firearm, which is a felony under federal law.
Conversely, the Village of Hanover Park defended its hiring decisions, stating that Bojovic was employed "in full compliance with federal and state law." The village asserted that they conducted a complete background check and received federal government authorization indicating Bojovic's legal work status in the United States.
Bojovic has been placed on administrative leave while his immigration case is being processed. If immigration proceedings determine he is allowed to remain and work in the U.S., the village indicated he would return to full duty status.
This incident reflects broader tensions between local jurisdictions and federal immigration law enforcement, with ICE's Sam Olson expressing concern over localities disregarding federal law, potentially to the detriment of their communities.
