In a move that underscores the ongoing clash between federal immigration policy and local law enforcement in sanctuary cities, ICE agents have arrested Radule Bojovic, a Hanover Park police officer originally from Montenegro, for overstaying his visa. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Bojovic was taken into custody as part of "Operation Midway Blitz," an initiative by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) targeting undocumented immigrants in the Chicago area.
The DHS claims that Bojovic lived in the U.S. illegally after his tourist visa expired in March 2015. In the years following, he seemingly integrated into the community, even serving as a sworn officer. Despite the Department's hardline on immigration, officials have not cited any criminal history for Bojovic beyond the visa overstay. In a statement reported by FOX 32 Chicago, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized Illinois' immigration policies, stating, "It's a felony for aliens to even possess a firearm. A law enforcement officer who is actively breaking the law," and lauding the ICE operations as a restoration of "law and order."
The arrest is part of a broader federal crackdown targeting sanctuary cities such as Chicago, which limit cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities. This policy has been a focal point of President Donald Trump's administration, with recurring attempts to curtail these protections to enforce stricter immigration laws.
Hanover Park Police Department, where Bojovic was employed, faces scrutiny for the oversight, having just celebrated his graduation from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy in August, as per the Sun-Times. The recent actions by ICE, including the arrests of over 1,500 individuals in Illinois, come as a federal judge in the state blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to assist in these crackdowns, further highlighting the tension between state and federal powers. The next court hearing on the matter is set for October 22, turning eyes once again toward the ongoing debate on immigration and sanctuary policies.
