U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested a police officer in the Chicago suburb of Hanover Park on Thursday, accusing him of being an unlawful immigrant from Montenegro who overstayed his visa for 10 years. The arrest occurred as part of Operation Midway Blitz, a targeted immigration enforcement surge in Illinois.
Radule Bojovic was taken into custody during a targeted enforcement action, with DHS officials stating that he overstayed a B-2 tourist visa that expired in March 2015 and was required to leave the country. He had been working as a sworn officer for the Hanover Park Police Department since January, after graduating from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy in August. ICE agents identified him as part of their ongoing efforts to apprehend individuals living in the U.S. illegally, particularly those in positions of public trust.
Hanover Park village officials defended the hiring process, confirming that Bojovic presented valid work authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the time of his employment. A thorough background check by the FBI and Illinois State Police revealed no criminal history, and the village asserted that without proper authorization, he would not have been hired. They emphasized that they had not received any notice revoking his work status, and all due diligence was followed to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.
In response to the arrest, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the situation, questioning how a police department could employ someone illegally in the country and noting that it is a felony for unlawful immigrants to possess firearms. She linked the incident to broader immigration policies in Illinois, targeting Governor J.B. Pritzker’s administration and accusing it of allowing illegal aliens to infiltrate law enforcement. This statement highlights the political tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in sanctuary jurisdictions.
Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig expressed confidence in the hiring process, stating that the village conducted due diligence and that Bojovic’s employment was appropriate. Bojovic has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of immigration proceedings, and if allowed to remain in the U.S. and authorized to work, he will be returned to full duty status. Craig encouraged residents to gather all facts before forming opinions, underscoring the community’s need for transparency amid the controversy.
The arrest is part of Operation Midway Blitz, which began last month and has led to over 1,000 arrests of individuals accused of being in the country illegally. This operation has sparked political debates, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem commenting on social media about radical sanctuary policies allowing criminal illegal aliens to infiltrate communities. Similar cases, such as the recent arrest of an Iowa school superintendent, illustrate the broader scope of federal efforts to address immigration violations in public roles.
Bojovic was set to be formally sworn in at a village board meeting on Thursday, highlighting the timing of the arrest and its immediate impact on local governance. His case underscores ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement practices, with implications for trust in policing and the integration of immigration checks into hiring processes. As proceedings continue, the outcome may influence future policies on employment verification and interagency cooperation.