Imagine discovering that the very person sworn to protect you, a police officer, might be in the country illegally. That's exactly what's unfolding in a Chicago suburb, sending shockwaves through the community and igniting a fiery debate about immigration, law enforcement, and public safety.
Here's the story: Radule Bojovic, an officer with the Hanover Park Police Department, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The arrest took place on October 16, 2025, but the implications are far-reaching. DHS alleges that Bojovic, originally from Montenegro, is in the U.S. illegally.
According to DHS, Bojovic overstayed his tourist visa by a staggering ten years, having been required to leave the country back in March 2015. But here's where it gets controversial... DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin didn't mince words, directly criticizing Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's policies. "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," she stated. McLaughlin went on to question the judgment of any police department that would entrust "criminal illegal aliens" with badges and guns.
Adding fuel to the fire, DHS also pointed out that it's a felony for someone in the U.S. illegally to possess a firearm. This raises serious questions about the potential legal ramifications for Bojovic and the Hanover Park Police Department. ABC News has reached out to the Hanover Park Police Department for comment, but as of yet, has not received a response.
And this is the part most people miss... publicly available online ICE detainee records confirm that Bojovic is in custody, although his exact location remains undisclosed. It's also worth noting that Bojovic was accepted into the Hanover Park Police Pension Fund in January with a starting salary of approximately $79,000, according to village records. He had also recently graduated from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy in August.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem weighed in on social media, further intensifying the political dimension of the case. "Radical sanctuary politicians have allowed criminal illegal aliens to infiltrate our school districts, communities, and even police departments," she tweeted. "President Trump and I will continue to put the safety of Americans FIRST."
This case raises a multitude of complex issues. How thoroughly are police officer candidates vetted? What responsibility, if any, does a state or local government have in verifying the immigration status of its employees? Should sanctuary policies be re-evaluated in light of these kinds of situations? Could this case have been avoided with better screening protocols? Is it fair to broadly accuse all sanctuary cities of enabling criminal behavior based on the actions of one individual? What are your thoughts? Share your perspective in the comments below.
