The quiet rhythm of Hanover Park was abruptly shattered when federal agents descended on the town, stunning residents and officials alike. ICE officers arrested 25-year-old local police officer Radule Bojovic, raising immediate questions about law enforcement vetting.
Authorities allege Bojovic, a Montenegro native, had been living in the U.S. illegally for a decade—a revelation that rattled colleagues and sparked a broader national debate about immigration oversight, according to ICE special agent Patrick Reilly.
Officer Accused of Overstaying Visa for 10 Years
“Bojovic arrived in the U.S. with a tourist visa in 2014, which expired the following March, and he never left,” said Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Lisa Chen.
Chen emphasized, “This wasn’t just an oversight; this was deliberate deception,” suggesting federal systems failed to flag the status earlier.
ICE Arrest Follows Midwest Enforcement Operation
ICE Regional Director Javier Ortega said Bojovic’s arrest was part of a larger crackdown, noting it coincided with Operation Midway Blitz, a Midwest sweep targeting visa overstays and unverified work authorizations. “This operation is about restoring integrity and trust,” Ortega explained.
Officials stressed that the move was not arbitrary but a targeted effort to ensure that law enforcement positions were filled only by legally authorized personnel.
DHS Criticizes Illinois Over ‘Sanctuary’ Policies
“What kind of police department gives criminal illegal aliens badges and guns?” asked DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, pinning blame on Illinois and local authorities. “Governor Pritzker’s sanctuary state policies made this possible,” she added during Thursday’s press briefing.
McLaughlin stressed that policy gaps at the state level had allowed someone without legal status to serve in law enforcement.
Governor Pritzker Dismisses Federal Criticism
Governor Pritzker’s office pushed back against DHS criticism, calling the arrest “a political stunt.” Communications Director Javier Cruz told ABC, “Illinois follows the law and validates every federal document. If there was a gap, it’s one that sprang from errors in federal databases, not local hiring.”
Cruz emphasized that employment authorization checks were conducted precisely as required, suggesting federal oversight, rather than local hiring, was the weak link in this chain.
Hanover Park Police Defend Hiring Process
Hanover Park Police Chief Andrew Johnson maintained, “Every step of Officer Bojovic’s hiring followed the law. He showed us a valid work authorization card, verified by the federal government.” Village attorney Susan Malik added, “The federal government authorized his employment. Our hands were tied.”
According to Johnson, state and federal background checks had all returned clean results, indicating that the department was operating in good faith.
Federal Work Authorization Under Review
ICE official Tracy Bannon confirmed an ongoing review of Bojovic’s work authorization. “We’re now reviewing whether his permit was validly issued, renewed under false pretenses, or the result of a clerical error,” Bannon said.
She noted that investigations into the origins of federal work documents can be lengthy and complex, with potential repercussions across multiple agencies.
Police Cite Federal Clearance During Hiring
Deputy Chief Michael Perez highlighted that a 2024 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives memo confirmed Bojovic’s legal authority to carry a firearm. “Nothing raised a red flag,” Perez said, noting that background checks by the FBI and Illinois State Police had been completed.
He stressed that, in hindsight, the department had followed every protocol required by law. Perez said the vetting process appeared thorough, even if federal oversight failed to catch the discrepancy.
New Officer Was an Academy Graduate
Tanya Wallace, academy spokesperson, confirmed, “Bojovic successfully completed intensive officer training and met all requirements to graduate in August this year.” The department shared his graduation photo, celebrating what Village President Rodney Craig called “a promising new addition to our police force.”
According to Wallace, the young officer had shown dedication during training and earned commendations from instructors, highlighting the shock and disappointment felt by colleagues when the arrest came just days later.
Ceremony Canceled As Arrest News Broke
Just hours before Bojovic’s swearing-in, ICE agents made their move. “The timing was devastating,” Village President Craig admitted, describing the scene as chaotic. Residents attending the village board meeting were informed that the ceremony was canceled, leaving many confused and worried.
Officials said the sudden change disrupted community celebrations and prompted immediate questions about the department’s vetting process.
Community Divided Amid Broader Debate
Local reactions were sharply divided. “He was about to dedicate his life to protecting us, and now this? It feels like a betrayal,” said business owner Rachel Valenzuela.
This reflects America’s uneasy divide over immigration enforcement, illustrating how one arrest can inflame local tensions and spark national conversation about the intersection of law enforcement and federal immigration law.
DHS Says Officer Broke Federal Law
DHS spokesperson Lisa Chen emphasized in a press briefing, “It’s illegal under federal law for undocumented immigrants to possess firearms. A police officer cannot uphold the law while breaking it.”
Officials argued that legal clarity leaves no ambiguity for law enforcement positions, reinforcing the federal mandate that all officers must maintain legal residency or status.
Homeland Security Secretary Comments Online
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amplified the federal perspective online, posting, “Criminal illegal aliens have infiltrated our police departments because of sanctuary politicians. We are putting an end to it.”
According to Noem, the post aimed to raise awareness about the broader consequences of lax immigration policies. The statement quickly went viral, racking up thousands of shares and fueling another round of heated debate on social media, highlighting the case’s national attention.
Officer Placed On Administrative Leave
Police Chief Johnson confirmed, “We immediately placed Officer Bojovic on paid leave while federal authorities complete their review.” Fellow officers expressed disbelief. “We trusted the process. Now trust feels broken,” said one veteran officer anonymously.
According to Johnson, the move was standard procedure to allow federal investigations to proceed without departmental interference. Still, it left colleagues grappling with both professional and personal uncertainty about the young officer’s future.
ICE Confirms Detention and Case Review
ICE spokesperson Tracy Bannon said Bojovic is being held at Clay County Justice Center in Indiana. “Detention will continue until immigration proceedings are resolved,” she confirmed. Immigration attorney Paula Swenson told CBS, “This investigation could stretch out for several months, given the complexities of work authorization laws.”
Officials indicated that careful review was required due to federal document verification, signaling the potential for a prolonged legal and administrative process before any final determination.
Immigration Crackdown Expands Under Operation
ICE Regional Director Ortega states that Operation Midway Blitz “has already resulted in over 400 arrests” across the Midwest. He emphasized that such actions are crucial to restoring “public trust and lawful standards” in public service.
Officials indicated more enforcement actions are planned in states with so-called sanctuary policies, asserting the initiative is ongoing and systematic. According to Ortega, the operation represents a broader federal effort to ensure legal compliance within law enforcement agencies.
Federal Officials Urge Tougher Vetting
Security specialist Mark Jennings told ABC, “This episode highlights the gap left by state restrictions on immigration checks. We need better federal-local cooperation to prevent credential fraud.” Jennings argued that federally issued documents should be continuously monitored and verified in real time, calling for systemic improvements.
According to him, incidents like Bojovic’s demonstrate how weak interagency communication can result in breaches of public trust, emphasizing the urgency of reforming the vetting process.
Experts Cite Flawed Cooperation System
“This was a predictable failure,” said immigration scholar Professor Robert Alvarez. He explained that local agencies relying solely on sporadic federal data create vulnerabilities. Alvarez argued that improved interagency verification is the only way to prevent repeats of the Bojovic case, suggesting policy and operational changes are needed.
According to Alvarez, stronger federal oversight and consistent data sharing could prevent future missteps, highlighting the structural weaknesses exposed by this high-profile incident.
Trump Administration Defends Enforcement Strategy
DHS spokesperson Lisa Chen reinforced that the arrest sends “a clear message: public servants must meet the highest standards.” Chen stated that the Trump administration remains committed to strict border enforcement and public accountability.
According to officials, the operation is designed to deter future abuses and ensure that all public service positions are filled by legally authorized individuals. It highlights the administration’s broader strategy on immigration enforcement within government agencies.
Legal Review to Determine Officer’s Status
As legal proceedings continue, both sides remain entrenched in their positions. “Everyone is watching,” said Police Chief Johnson. “Whatever the outcome, we’re reevaluating every aspect of our hiring.” Residents, officials, and legal experts alike await a final verdict that could reshape police hiring, immigration policy enforcement, and trust in local institutions.
According to authorities, the case serves as a cautionary tale highlighting the intersection of federal oversight, state policy, and community trust.