An Illinois police officer living in the United States illegally has been arrested by federal immigration authorities, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday.
Radule Bojovic, a native of Montenegro, was working as a sworn officer with the Hanover Park Police Department when he was taken into custody during Operation Midway Blitz — a federal initiative targeting undocumented immigrants living in Illinois. DHS officials said the operation focuses on the state’s sanctuary policies.
“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,” said Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “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, “It’s a felony for aliens to even possess a firearm — a law enforcement officer who is actively breaking the law. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is restoring law and order. Criminal illegal aliens have no place in our communities, especially on our police forces.”
A Facebook post from the Hanover Park Police Department dated August 22 showed Bojovic being congratulated for graduating from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy. “He now begins an intensive 15 weeks of field training and evaluation as he continues preparing to serve the Hanover Park community,” the post read.
According to federal authorities, Bojovic entered the U.S. on a tourist visa that required him to leave by March 31, 2015. He remained in the country illegally for more than a decade. DHS said Bojovic had been approved by the Pension Fund Board of Trustees in January 2025 and was eligible for a starting salary of $78,955.70. Records show his total 2025 earnings reached $205,707, including $9,276 in FICA and Medicare taxes.
Officials said Operation Midway Blitz was launched in memory of Katie Abraham, who was killed in a drunk-driving crash caused by undocumented immigrant Julio Cucul-Bol in Illinois.
Governor J.B. Pritzker has recently clashed with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement, filing a lawsuit to block the deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois.
“President Trump says he wants to go to war with Chicago, use it, and our people as a training ground, and is sending military troops against the wishes of its people in order to punish his political opponents,” Pritzker said Thursday.
“No person could be faulted for believing that the U.S. military is already patrolling our streets,” he added. “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, and some are wearing camouflage uniforms that could easily be mistaken for the military.”
How int wide wide world of sports (aka reality) did this character manage to make it thru the background checks? I’ll venture a ‘swag’ that he had outside help…………..