HANOVER PARK, Ill. — A Hanover Park police officer was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE).
The officer, Radule Bojovic, is accused of overstaying a B2 tourist visa that required him to depart the U.S. in 2015, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
He is from Montenegro and was arrested during a “targeted enforcement action” as part of “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Bojovic provided his employee identification card to ICE — which confirmed he is a police officer with the Hanover Park Police Department, according to DHS. Bojovic also admitted that he had no weapons on him because he’s only authorized to carry his firearm while on duty, DHS wrote.
“Illegal aliens are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms — full stop,” said ICE Chicago Field Office Director Sam Olson. “This is the second known instance in recent months of a local police department hiring an illegal alien and unlawfully issuing him a firearm while on duty in violation of federal law. It is alarming how local jurisdictions continue to disregard federal law to the detriment of their communities.”
The Village of Hanover Park said they went through all proper channels when hiring the officer, adding that the green light was given to them from the federal government to hire him at the beginning of 2025.
State records revealed Bojovic has been with the police department since January of 2025 and was certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board in August.
Back in August of 2025, Border Czar Tom Homan weighed in on arrests we’d seen of non-criminals.
“I’ve already seen the stories about non-criminals being arrested at a higher rate – and they’re going to keep being arrested at a higher rate – because we can’t get the bad guy in jail, so we go into the community, and when we find the bad guy in the community, they’re probably with others who aren’t a criminal priority, but they’re going to get arrested too,” Homan said.
In a statement, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said:
“Radule Bojovic violated our nation’s laws and was living ILLEGALLY in the United States for 10 years—what kind of police department gives criminal illegal aliens badges and guns? It’s a felony for aliens to even possess a firearm. A so-called law enforcement officer who is actively breaking the law.”
Bojovic graduated from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy in August of 2025, according to a Facebook post by the police department.
Hanover Park said Bojovic has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the immigration proceedings he is now facing. A full statement from the village can be found below:
“The Hanover Park Police Department hired Officer Bojovic in January 2025 in full compliance with federal and state law. Before hiring Officer Bojovic, the Village confirmed that he was legally authorized by the federal government to work in the United States. At the time of his hire, Officer Bjovic presented the Village wit a Work Authorization Card, which was issued by the federal government’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The card was valid and recently renewed. We also conducted a full background check, including his criminal history with both the Illinois State Police and the FBI.
“The bottom line is that all information we received from the federal government indicated that Officer Bojovic is legally authorized to work in the United States as a police officer. Clearly, without that authorization, the Village has not received any notice from any federal or state agency that is work authorization status has ever been revoked.
“Further, the Village also confirmed, based on a memorandum issued by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives on January 5, 2024, that his immigration status allows him to carry a firearm while on duty.
“Officer Radule Bojovic has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the immigration proceedings he is now facing. If he is permitted to remain in the United States and remains legally authorized to work in this country, he will be returned to full duty status.”
ICE detainee records indicate Bojovic is currently in custody in Indiana.
According to an Illinois Public Act, people who are not U.S. citizens but are legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law can apply to the position of police officer. Applicants are subject to all requirements, including background checks and limitations to which other applicants are subject.
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