Concerns are growing about the integrity of law enforcement after an incident in Illinois. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested an undocumented immigrant who was working as a police officer in a Chicago suburb.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made the announcement, stating that Radule Bojovic, originally from Montenegro, was serving as a police officer in the Hanover Park Police Department. His arrest came as part of Operation Midway Blitz, an operation targeting undocumented immigrants in Illinois, a state that has sanctuary policies.
Federal authorities stated that Bojovic had overstayed his B2 tourist visa by more than 10 years. He was supposed to leave the United States by March 31, 2015.
As a police officer, Bojovic had been approved by the Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees. This made him eligible for a starting salary of $78,995, according to records from the Hanover Park Police Department. The DHS further revealed that, “records indicate his 2025 earnings cost taxpayers $205,707, including $9,276 for FICA/Medicare taxes.”
“Not only does Governor J.B. Pritzker allow violent illegal immigrants to terrorize Illinois communities, but he also allows them to work as sworn police officers. Radule Bojovic violated our nation’s laws and lived illegally in the United States for 10 years. What kind of police department gives badges and guns to criminal illegal immigrants? It is a serious crime for an alien to possess a firearm. An alleged law enforcement officer who is actively breaking the law,” stated DHS Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
The DHS emphasized that possessing a firearm is a felony for an illegal alien.
This is not the first instance this year of a law enforcement officer being found to be a foreign citizen.
In July, Jon Luke Evans, from Jamaica, was serving as a reserve officer in Maine when ICE arrested him after he tried to illegally buy a firearm. He was serving in an area known as a sanctuary jurisdiction because of its refusal to comply with the Trump administration’s illegal immigration enforcement measures.
This situation highlights the concerns about sanctuary policies and their impact on public safety. Allowing undocumented immigrants to remain in the country, particularly when they are employed in positions of authority, raises questions about national security and the rule of law. The idea of an individual who is not legally permitted to be in the country serving as a law enforcement officer is deeply troubling. It can erode public trust in law enforcement and raises questions about the vetting processes in place.
Furthermore, the financial burden on taxpayers is significant. The revelation that Bojovic’s earnings cost taxpayers over $200,000 raises concerns about the allocation of resources and the fairness of the system.
This incident should prompt a broader discussion about immigration policy and the need for stricter enforcement of existing laws. It is essential to ensure that those who are responsible for upholding the law are themselves in compliance with it. The safety and security of communities should be the top priority, and that requires a commitment to enforcing immigration laws and ensuring that individuals in positions of power are properly vetted and legally authorized to be in the country.
