ICE arrests Hanover Park police officer, accuses him of being in US illegally

HANOVER PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested a police officer Thursday morning in Hanover Park, accusing him of being an unlawful immigrant from Montenegro.

Hanover Park police are now saying the department hired the officer in January in "full compliance with federal and state law," adding, the village confirmed he was legally authorized by the federal government to work in the United States. That is contradicting what the Department of Homeland Security said earlier Thursday.

Bojovic was set to be sworn in Thursday night as a Hanover Park police officer at the village board meeting.

At the meeting, ABC7 heard from those against the detainment of the police officer and those concerned over the hiring of the police officer, based off of the claims made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The village board president asked the community to consider the facts before reaching a judgement.

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The Department of Homeland Security says Radule Bojovic overstayed a tourist visa that expired in 2015.

DHS says Bojovic was encountered during a targeted enforcement action part of "Operation Midway Blitz" in the Chicago area.

Federal officials also said that Hanover Park police records confirm he was approved by the pension fund board of trustees in January 2025.

Bojovic was seen in a Facebook post from the police department provided by DHS, which was taken in August after the officer graduated from the suburban law enforcement academy.

DHS released a statement on the arrest Thursday afternoon, saying in part, "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. Radule Bojovic violated our nation's laws and was living ILLEGALLY in the United States for 10 years."

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem also commented on social media, saying "ICE arrested an illegal alien working as a sworn police officer in Chicago suburb... radical sanctuary politicians have allowed criminal illegal aliens to infiltrate our school districts, communities and even police departments."

However, the Hanover Park Police Department released a statement Thursday afternoon, saying Bojovic presented the Village with a valid Work Authorization Card, which was issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a card that was recently renewed.

During Thursday night's meeting where Bojovic was set to be sworn in, Village Board President Rodney Craig cautioned the community to consider the facts, and he also said that the village confirmed Bojovic was legally authorized by both the state and federal government to work in the U.S.

"Background checks performed by the FBI, Illinois State Police reveal no criminal history," Craig said. "If Officer Bojovic did not hold federal work authorization, he would not have been hired."

The Hanover Park Police Department also said in a statement that they did not receive any notice from the state or feds that his work authorization had been revoked. The village says they confirmed Bojovic's immigration status and allowed him to carry a fire arm on duty.

"The bottom line is we performed all necessary due diligence and followed the law throughout the hiring process," Craig said.

The village says it will continue to monitor Bojovic's immigration proceedings, and if he is permitted to remain and authorized to work in the U.S., he will be able to return to the Hanover Park Police Department.

Bojovic is currently being held at the Clay County Justice Center in Brazil, Indiana, records showed.

The Village of Hanover Park shared the following full statement Thursday afternoon:
"The Hanover Park Police Department hired Officer Bojovic in January 2025 in full compliance with federal and state law. Before hiring Officer Bojovic, the Village confirmed that he was legally authorized by the federal government to work in the United States. At the time of his hire, Officer Bojovic presented the Village with a Work Authorization Card, which was issued by the federal government's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The card was valid and recently renewed. We also conducted a full background check, including his criminal history with both the Illinois State Police and the FBI.

"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, without that authorization, the Village would not have hired him. Additionally, the Village has not received any notice from any federal or state agency that his work authorization status has ever been revoked.

"Further, the Village also confirmed, based on a memorandum issued by the Department of Justice's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives on January 5, 2024, that his immigration status allows him to carry a firearm while on duty.

"Officer Radule Bojovic has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the immigration proceedings he is now facing. If he is permitted to remain in the United States and remains legally authorized to work in this country, he will be returned to full duty status."

CNN-Wire contributed to this report.