📍 Hanover Park, Illinois — In a case that has sent shockwaves through law enforcement and immigration circles alike, a suburban police officer was arrested this week by federal immigration authorities after it was discovered he had been living in the United States without legal status.
Radule Bojovic, a 36-year-old Montenegrin national, was taken into custody by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while on duty with the Hanover Park Police Department. According to federal officials, Bojovic entered the U.S. legally on a temporary visa over a decade ago but failed to depart when it expired. His undocumented status came to light during “Operation Midway Blitz,” a targeted enforcement initiative focused on sanctuary jurisdictions and individuals with prior immigration violations.
ICE officials said Bojovic’s case was particularly alarming because he had managed to pass background checks and serve as a sworn officer for nearly four years. “This is a serious breach of public trust and a failure of inter-agency communication,” said ICE spokesperson Leticia Ramirez. “Our goal is to ensure that those entrusted with enforcing the law are themselves in compliance with it.”
The arrest has sparked a political firestorm in Illinois, a state known for its immigrant-friendly policies. Governor JB Pritzker condemned the arrest as “a dangerous politicization of law enforcement,” accusing the Trump administration of using immigration enforcement to intimidate local governments. “This action undermines the very fabric of community policing,” Pritzker said. “It sends a chilling message to immigrant communities who already fear coming forward to report crimes.”
Legal experts say the case raises thorny questions about how local police departments verify immigration status during hiring. While federal law does not prohibit undocumented immigrants from applying for police jobs, most departments require U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency. It remains unclear how Bojovic was able to bypass these requirements.
The Hanover Park Police Department has yet to release a formal statement, but internal sources suggest the department was unaware of Bojovic’s immigration status. “He passed all our checks,” said one officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We’re stunned.”
This is not the first time ICE has arrested an undocumented individual serving in law enforcement. In 2023, a similar case in Maine involved a Guatemalan national who had been working as a sheriff’s deputy under a false identity. That case led to a statewide review of law enforcement hiring practices.
Civil rights groups have expressed concern that the arrest could be used to justify broader crackdowns on immigrant communities. “This is a rare and isolated case,” said Maria Torres of the Illinois Immigrant Justice Coalition. “But it’s being weaponized to paint immigrants as threats, even when they’re contributing members of society.”
Bojovic is currently being held at a federal detention facility in McHenry County pending removal proceedings. His attorney has not commented on the case, but sources close to the family say they are considering legal options, including seeking asylum based on political instability in Montenegro.
As the investigation unfolds, the case is likely to fuel ongoing debates about immigration, law enforcement integrity, and the balance of power between federal and local authorities. For now, it remains a stark reminder of the complexities—and contradictions—at the heart of America’s immigration system.
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