Chicago police officer visa overstay arrest
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation has led to the arrest of a police officer in the Chicago suburb of Hanover Park, Illinois, for allegedly overstaying his visa for over a decade. The officer, Radule Bojovic, a native of Montenegro, reportedly entered the country on a B-2 tourist visa which expired in March 2015.
Local officials say Bojovic was hired by the Hanover Park Police Department in January 2025 after passing a background check that included reviews by the FBI and Illinois State Police. Upon hiring, he submitted a recently renewed Work Authorization Card. The department said all required credentials were in order.
Federal authorities maintain that despite his authorization to work, the visa overstay renders his presence in the United States unlawful. They also assert that carrying a firearm as a non-citizen without valid immigration status is illegal under federal law. Bojovic has since been placed on administrative leave pending immigration proceedings.
The case has raised questions about how the immigration system interacts with law enforcement hiring practices. It has also sparked debate about oversight, verification of immigration status, and whether current screening methods are sufficient to prevent similar situations.
