Nationwide — Radule Bojovic, a white police officer from Hanover Park, Illinois originally from Montenegro, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after officials found he had overstayed his visa and been living in the country illegally since 2015.
The Department of Homeland Security said Bojovic first entered the U.S. on a tourist visa that expired a decade ago. He was taken into custody during a targeted immigration operation called Operation Midway Blitz, according to First Alert 4.
Bojovic had been working as a police officer in a suburban area northwest of Chicago. His arrest has raised concerns among residents about how he was able to join the police force while allegedly being in the U.S. unlawfully.
In response, Hanover Park officials said all proper hiring steps were followed. The village board president explained that both state and federal agencies had verified Bojovic’s eligibility to work before his employment.
“Background checks performed by the FBI and Illinois State Police revealed no criminal history. If Officer Bojovic did not hold federal work authorization, he would not have been hired,” the president said.
The village also confirmed Bojovic had authorization to carry a firearm while on duty. “The bottom line is we performed all necessary due diligence and followed the law throughout the hiring process,” the board president added.
Bojovic remains in ICE custody while federal officials review his immigration case. Hanover Park officials said they are cooperating with investigators as the case continues.