A suburban Chicago police officer has been nabbed by federal agents for allegedly overstaying his visa by a whopping ten years.
According to the New York Post, Radule Bojovic, a native of Montenegro and an officer with the Village of Hanover Park Police Department, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a recent operation dubbed Midway Blitz, as announced by the Department of Homeland Security, stirring up a firestorm over how someone in law enforcement could be in such a questionable legal situation.
Let’s rewind to the start of this eyebrow-raising tale. Bojovic joined the Hanover Park force in January 2025, reportedly passing a background check with flying colors, complete with what the department called a recently renewed Work Authorization Card.
Unpacking the Hiring Process Controversy
Interestingly, the background check, which tapped into both Illinois State Police and FBI databases, raised no red flags at the time of hiring. One has to wonder how such a significant oversight slipped through the cracks of a system meant to protect public trust.
Fast forward to the present, and the Department of Homeland Security claims Bojovic’s B2 visa expired way back on March 31, 2015. That’s a full decade of alleged unauthorized presence in the U.S.—a claim that has conservatives shaking their heads at the apparent lax enforcement of immigration laws. Now, Bojovic finds himself in custody at the Clay County Justice Center in Central Indiana, though details on the exact timing or location of his arrest remain murky. It’s a stark turn of events for someone tasked with upholding the law.
Police Department Defends Its Officer
The Hanover Park Police Department isn’t taking this lying down, placing Bojovic on administrative leave while the immigration proceedings unfold. They’ve made it clear that if he’s allowed to stay and work in the U.S., he’ll be back on duty faster than you can say “badge and gun.”
Deputy Chief Victor DiVito doubled down on their stance, stating, “The bottom line is that all information we received from the federal government indicated that Officer Bojovic is legally authorized to work in the United States as a police officer.” Clearly, the department feels blindsided by this federal about-face, but one wonders if due diligence was truly exhaustive.
The department also pointed to a memorandum from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, dated January 5, 2024, which they claim permits Bojovic to carry a firearm on duty. This raises a thorny question: should federal memos trump clear immigration statutes?
DHS Fires Back with Criticism
On the other side of the aisle, DHS isn’t mincing words, with Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin sharply criticizing the situation. “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?” she said, highlighting a glaring contradiction that many law-and-order advocates find troubling.
McLaughlin’s point about the felony status of unauthorized migrants possessing firearms isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a legal reality that puts the department’s defense on shaky ground. While her tone may sting, the underlying concern about public safety can’t be dismissed out of hand.
DHS also took a swipe at broader state policies, framing this incident as emblematic of problems under certain progressive leadership in Illinois. Without pointing fingers too aggressively, it’s clear they see this as a failure of oversight at multiple levels.
Balancing Law Enforcement and Immigration Law
For now, Bojovic’s fate hangs in the balance as immigration proceedings continue. The Hanover Park department staunchly disputes DHS claims about his legal status, insisting they’ve received no official notice of revoked work authorization. It’s a classic case of federal versus local disconnect.
This story isn’t just about one officer; it’s a microcosm of the larger debate over immigration enforcement and who gets to wear the badge. Many conservatives argue that upholding the rule of law must start with those enforcing it, while others might see room for empathy in Bojovic’s apparent integration into community service.
Ultimately, this incident underscores the need for tighter vetting processes and clearer communication between federal and local agencies. If we’re serious about border security and legal integrity, cases like this can’t be allowed to slip through unnoticed for a decade. Let’s hope this sparks a much-needed conversation—minus the usual partisan shouting match.
