An Illinois police officer who was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for being in the country illegally has been reinstated to his duties with back pay.
Radovan Bojovic, a 25-year-old Montenegrin citizen employed by the Hanover Park Police Department since January of this year, was arrested on October 15 after an ICE investigation revealed he had overstayed a B-2 tourist visa that expired in March 2015. Despite being released on a $2,500 bond two weeks later, Bojovic was promptly returned to work at his department.
The Hanover Park Police Department issued the following statement: “Given that his bond was not contested and he remains authorized to work by the federal government, the Hanover Park Police Department determined that he may return to work.”
However, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials voiced strong criticism of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, charging him with negligence in overseeing state law enforcement personnel’s immigration status.
An ICE official stated: “Gov. Pritzker doesn’t just allow violent illegal aliens to terrorize Illinois communities… He allows illegal aliens to work as sworn police officers.”
The department further emphasized that it remains a felony for an unauthorized immigrant even to possess a firearm, yet Bojovic was allowed to continue his duties because he passed both FBI and Illinois State Police background checks, and received clearance from the ATF memo.
Hanover Park officials confirmed their position: “We maintain Mr. Bojovic was hired in full compliance with federal and state law.” They added that after receiving approval for employment from the Hanover Park Police Pension Fund Board this January, he will now serve with back pay pending resolution of his immigration case.
The officer’s estimated annual salary is $78,955, a significant taxpayer expense.
