Chicago Officer Accused of Visa Overstay Arrested by ICE: 'Criminal Illegal Aliens Have No Place on Our Police Forces'

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a Chicago police officer alleging he has lived in the United States unlawfully for a decade after overstaying a tourist visa.

The officer, identified as Radule Bojovic of Montenegro, was taken into custody during a targeted sweep linked to "Operation Midway Blitz," part of the administration's broader immigration crackdown.

In an official statement, ICE said Bojovic was identified as a B-2 visitor who was required to depart by March 31, 2015, but "illegally overstayed his visa by more than 10 years." Upon arrest, he presented an employee identification card confirming his position with the Hanover Park Police Department and told agents he carried a firearm only while on duty.

"Illegal aliens are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms — full stop," said Sam Olson, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago Field Office Director. "This is the second known instance in recent months of a local police department hiring an illegal alien and unlawfully issuing him a firearm while on duty in violation of federal law," Olson added, calling it "alarming."

"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?," said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin to The Independent. "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," added McLaughlin.

Chicago has become a focal point for federal operations in recent weeks. According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 1,000 migrants were arrested across Illinois between September 8 and October 3 under Operation Midway Blitz, as CNN reports.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis said she had "serious concerns" about compliance with her prior limits on force at protests and expanded her order to require federal agents involved in the Chicago crackdown to wear body cameras when encountering demonstrators.

A federal appeals court also upheld a lower court ruling temporarily blocking the deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois, even as another order barred ICE from using Cook County property for civil immigration operations.