Nationwide — Radule Bojovic, a white police officer from Hanover Park, Illinois initially from Montenegro, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after officers discovered he had overstayed his visa and been dwelling within the nation illegally since 2015.
The Division of Homeland Safety stated Bojovic first entered the U.S. on a vacationer visa that expired a decade in the past. He was taken into custody throughout a focused immigration operation known as Operation Halfway Blitz, in line with First Alert 4.
Bojovic had been working as a police officer in a suburban space northwest of Chicago. His arrest has raised considerations amongst residents about how he was capable of be a part of the police pressure whereas allegedly being within the U.S. unlawfully.
In response, Hanover Park officers stated all correct hiring steps have been adopted. The village board president defined that each state and federal companies had verified Bojovic’s eligibility to work earlier than his employment.
“Background checks carried out by the FBI and Illinois State Police revealed no legal historical past. If Officer Bojovic didn’t maintain federal work authorization, he wouldn’t have been employed,” the president stated.
The village additionally confirmed Bojovic had authorization to hold a firearm whereas on responsibility. “The underside line is we carried out all obligatory due diligence and adopted the legislation all through the hiring course of,” the board president added.
Bojovic stays in ICE custody whereas federal officers assessment his immigration case. Hanover Park officers stated they’re cooperating with investigators because the case continues.