Ill. Police Officer Arrested as Part of ICE Deportation 'Blitz'

Hanover Park Police Officer Radule Bojovic, a native of Montenegro, had been hired in January "in full compliance with federal and state law," according to the department.

Oct. 17, 2025

4 min read

What to know

Hanover Park Police Officer Radule Bojovic was arrested by federal immigration officials for allegedly overstaying a tourist visa that expired in 2015.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security accused Bojovic, a native of Montenegro, of unlawfully possessing a firearm, though the village said his federal work authorization allowed him to carry one while on duty.
Bojovic has been placed on administrative leave pending immigration proceedings, and village officials maintain his hiring followed all state and federal requirements.

By Tess Kenny

Source Chicago Tribune

Federal immigration officials arrested a northwest suburban police officer Thursday for allegedly overstaying a tourist visa.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in a news release, said that it had arrested Hanover Park police Officer Radule Bojovic in a “targeted enforcement action” as part of President Donald Trump’s local deportation “blitz.”

DHS accused Bojovic — who the agency identifies as a native of Montenegro, a country in southeast Europe — of overstaying a B2 tourist visa that expired in March 2015.

Bojovic became the latest person caught up in the federal sweep for unauthorized residents. Last month, ICE arrested the leader of Iowa’s largest school district, calling him a “criminal alien.” Earlier this week, Homeland Security officials said on social media that “Operation Midway Blitz” — Trump’s local mass deportation push — has resulted in more than 1,500 arrests across the state.

Bojovic was in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody at the Clay County Justice Center in Indiana, as of Thursday afternoon, according to ICE detainee records online.

Hanover Park, in a statement, maintained the Police Department hired Bojovic in January “in full compliance with federal and state law.” State records reflect that Bojovic was hired Jan. 8 and certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board in August.

“Before hiring Officer Bojovic, the Village confirmed that he was legally authorized by the federal government to work in the United States,” the village’s statement read. At the time of his hire, Bojovic provided a valid and recently renewed work authorization card, which was issued by Citizenship and Immigration Services, the village stated, noting that it also conducted a full background check into Bojovic’s criminal history with both the Illinois State Police and the FBI.

“Clearly, without that authorization, the Village would not have hired him,” the village stated. “Additionally, the Village has not received any notice from any federal or state agency that his work authorization status had even been revoked.”

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, in a statement, accused Bojovic of illegally possessing a firearm.

“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?” McLaughlin stated. “It’s a felony for aliens to even possess a firearm. A so-called law enforcement officer who is actively breaking the law.”

However, the village refuted the allegation in its statement.

“(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 (Bojovic’s) immigration status allows him to carry a firearm while on duty.”

Hanover Park police, in an Aug. 22 post to Facebook, congratulated Bojovic on graduating from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy. The academy, a program out of the College of DuPage in west suburban Glen Ellyn, aims to prepare “recruits for a successful career in law enforcement,” according to the college’s website. It offers a 16-week training program based on curriculum approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, per program details listed online.

After graduating from the academy, Hanover Park police in its August Facebook post stated Bojovic was set to begin an “intensive 15 weeks of field training and evaluation as he continues preparing to serve the Hanover Park community.” This week would have marked the eighth week after the department’s Facebook post.

In an emailed statement to the Tribune, Hanover Park Trustee Yasmeen Bankole said the village was still gathering facts.

“But what we do know on face value is that ICE can arrest law enforcement without due process,” wrote Bankole, who is making a run for the Democratic nomination in Illinois’ 8th Congressional District.

“If this is all truly about safety, how does that make our community safer?” she continued. “This administration has been targeting people who follow the rules, they are pointing guns at regular citizens and they are terrorizing our residents on a daily basis. In this country, people are innocent until proven guilty. It appears that under this current administration, those rules no longer apply.”

Bojovic has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the immigration proceedings he now faces, according to the village.

“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,” the village stated.

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