Imagine a sworn police officer, entrusted with public safety, being arrested by federal authorities for living in the U.S. without legal status. That's the startling reality in Hanover Park, Illinois, where a local officer’s hidden past has sparked a firestorm over immigration policies and hiring practices. This case cuts to the heart of a broader debate about sanctuary state policies and federal enforcement, as Fox News reports.
In a nutshell, an unauthorized immigrant from Montenegro, working as a police officer in Illinois, was detained by federal immigration authorities during a targeted operation, igniting controversy over state policies and local vetting processes.
Radule Bojovic, originally from Montenegro, arrived in the U.S. on a tourist visa over a decade ago. That visa expired in early 2015, yet Bojovic remained in the country, undetected by authorities for years. His story took a surprising turn when he was hired as a police officer in Hanover Park earlier this year.
In January 2025, the Hanover Park Police Department welcomed Bojovic to their ranks, believing he was legally cleared to work in the U.S. The department verified his status with a valid Work Authorization Card issued by the federal immigration services. A thorough background check, including reviews by state and federal law enforcement, raised no red flags at the time.
Even the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives gave the green light for Bojovic to carry a firearm on duty. His card was recently renewed, and he was approved for a starting salary of nearly $79,000 by the local pension board. Everything seemed above board—until it wasn’t.
By August 2025, Bojovic had graduated from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, earning public congratulations from his department on social media for preparing to serve the community. But behind the badge, a secret loomed: he had overstayed his visa by a full decade. How did this slip through the cracks?
The truth came crashing down during Operation Midway Blitz, a federal initiative targeting unauthorized immigrants in Illinois, prompted by the state’s sanctuary policies. Bojovic was taken into custody on October 16, 2025, as part of this Trump administration-led effort, named in honor of a victim of a tragic crime linked to illegal immigration. The arrest sent shockwaves through Hanover Park.
Following the detention, Bojovic was placed on administrative leave by his department pending an internal investigation. The Village of Hanover, caught off guard, insisted they had relied on federal documentation confirming his work eligibility. They noted no agency had ever flagged a revocation of his status.
“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,” the Village of Hanover stated in a news release. Well, that’s a fine mess—trusting the feds only to be blindsided by their own enforcement arm. It’s a bureaucratic head-scratcher that leaves local officials with egg on their faces.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker didn’t hold back, blasting federal immigration actions as overreach and accusing the Trump administration of terrorizing communities with aggressive tactics. “It feels that way already—masked federal agents from ICE and CBP are on the ground, terrorizing our communities with tear gas and rubber bullets,” Pritzker said on October 16, 2025. But one wonders if his sanctuary stance opened the door to cases like Bojovic’s in the first place.
On the other side, federal officials pulled no punches in criticizing Illinois’s policies. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin sharply remarked, “J.B. Pritzker doesn’t just allow violent unauthorized migrants to terrorize Illinois’s communities—he allows unauthorized migrants to work as sworn police officers.” Her point stings, raising valid concerns about public safety and accountability in hiring.
The clash between state and federal powers isn’t just academic—it’s playing out in real time. Just weeks before Bojovic’s arrest, federal agents used tear gas to disperse anti-ICE protesters outside an immigrant processing center in Broadview, Illinois. The tension is palpable, and cases like this only fuel the fire.
The Village of Hanover has signaled that if Bojovic’s legal status is resolved and he remains authorized to work, he could return to duty. That’s a big “if,” considering he’s now in federal custody facing an uncertain future. This caveat shows how tangled the web of immigration law can be for local communities.
Bojovic’s earnings, reportedly over $205,000 in 2025, including taxes, also raise eyebrows about taxpayer funds going to someone whose legal standing was in question. It’s not about the man himself, but the system that allowed this oversight. How many more cases like this are out there, hiding in plain sight?
Ultimately, this incident isn’t just about one officer—it’s a glaring spotlight on the clash between sanctuary policies and federal enforcement. While empathy is due for those caught in immigration limbo, the priority must be ensuring that those enforcing our laws aren’t inadvertently breaking them. Illinois, and the nation, must grapple with finding a balance that respects both security and fairness.
