A police officer in suburban Chicago found himself on the wrong side of the law when federal immigration agents arrested him for living in the United States illegally.
Radule Bojovic, a native of Montenegro, was taken into custody Thursday morning by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in a Rolling Meadows parking lot.
The officer was off duty at the time of his arrest.
Bojovic had been serving as a sworn officer with the Hanover Park Police Department since January of this year.
During his arrest, he told agents he “loves America.”
The arrest occurred as part of Operation Midway Blitz, a federal operation targeting criminal illegal aliens in the Chicago area.
The Department of Homeland Security stated the operation aims to remove the worst offenders from Illinois communities.
Bojovic entered the United States on a B-2 tourist visa, according to DHS records.
He was required to leave the country by March 31, 2015, but remained in the United States for more than ten years beyond that date.
Ben Bergquam, founder of FrontlineAmerica.com and host of Law & Border on Real America’s Voice News, documented the arrest as it unfolded.
When questioned about his employment, Bojovic confirmed his January 8, 2025 start date with the police department.
The arrested officer stated he had submitted work authorization documents during the hiring process.
He also confirmed he was permitted to carry a firearm while performing his official duties.
ICE officials noted Bojovic was unarmed at the time of his arrest since his firearm authorization applied only to on-duty hours.
He presented his employee identification card and verified his position with the Hanover Park Police Department.
Financial records show Bojovic received approval from the Pension Fund Board of Trustees in January 2025.
His starting salary was set at $78,955.70, according to Department of Homeland Security documents.
Police department records indicate Bojovic completed his training at the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy on Aug. 22.
He then began a 15-week field training and evaluation program.
Additional employment records listed his 2025 earnings at $205,707, including $9,276 in FICA and Medicare taxes.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, directed sharp criticism at Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
She stated: “Governor J.B. Pritzker doesn’t just allow violent illegal aliens to terrorize Illinois’s communities, he allows illegal aliens to work as sworn police officers.”
McLaughlin continued: “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.”
The Village of Hanover Park issued a statement defending its hiring practices.
Officials said Bojovic was hired “in full compliance with federal and state law” and had provided legal work authorization from the federal government.
The village also confirmed a complete background check was conducted before employment.
The statement emphasized: “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 would not have hired him.”
Village officials stated they never received notification from any federal or state agency that Bojovic’s work authorization had been revoked or expired.
Bojovic has been placed on administrative leave while his immigration case proceeds through the legal system, reports have outlined.
The village indicated Bojovic would return to full duty status if immigration proceedings determine he is permitted to remain and work in the United States.
Sam Olson, field office director for ICE’s Chicago office, said: “Illegal aliens are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms — full stop. 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.”
Olson added: “It is alarming how local jurisdictions continue to disregard federal law to the detriment of their communities.”
ICE characterized the arrest as another example of Pritzker’s refusal to follow federal immigration laws.
WATCH:
This marks the second similar case in recent months, the Daily Mail noted.
In July, ICE officers in Maine arrested Jon Luke Evans from Jamaica for unlawfully attempting to purchase a firearm.
Evans served as a reserve police officer with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department and admitted he was trying to buy the weapon for his police work.
