ICE arrests Hanover Park police officer, says he’s in the country illegally

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials Thursday announced the arrest of a Hanover Park police officer originally from Montenegro, accusing him of being in the country illegally.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Radule Bojovic had overstayed a tourist visa that required him to depart the U.S. March 31, 2015. Federal officials further charged that it’s a felony for an undocumented immigrant to possess a firearm.

“Governor JB Pritzker doesn’t just allow violent illegal aliens to terrorize Illinois’s communities, he allows illegal aliens to work as sworn police officers,” Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a written statement. “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?”

McLaughlin added that it’s fallen to President Donald Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to restore law and order through ICE.

“Criminal illegal aliens have no place in our communities, especially on our police forces,” she said.

Hanover Park Police Deputy Chief Victor DiVito released a statement Thursday afternoon saying Bojovic complied with “state and federal law” when he was hired in January.

“The village confirmed that he was legally authorized by the federal government to work in the United States,” DiVito’s statement reads. “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.”

Police department leadership refuted DHS claims that Bojovic illegally possessed a firearm.

“The village also confirmed, based on a memorandum issued by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Jan. 5, 2024, that his immigration status allows him to carry a firearm while on duty,” DiVito stated.

DHS cited an Aug. 22 Facebook post by the Hanover Park Police Department congratulating Bojovic on his graduation from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy that kicked off a 15-week course of field training and evaluation in preparation of serving the department.

Bojovic was listed as being in custody at the Clay County Justice Center in Central Indiana Thursday afternoon.

DiVito’s statement indicates Bojovic would be allowed to return to his job if released and cleared by immigration officials.

· Daily Herald staff writer Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this report.