Real America’s Voice correspondent Ben Bergquam released new exclusive footage from an ICE operation that uncovered what federal officials call a shocking breach of law and policy — an illegal alien serving as a sworn police officer in suburban Chicago.
Watch:
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents arrested Radule Bojovic, a native of Montenegro, during a targeted enforcement action in Rolling Meadows on October 15. Bojovic was reportedly serving as an officer with the Hanover Park Police Department, despite having overstayed his B-2 visitor visa by more than ten years. ICE confirmed that Bojovic was required to leave the United States by March 31, 2015.
In the statement released through Operation Midway Blitz, ICE said Bojovic’s position and firearm authorization violated federal law. “Illegal aliens are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms — full stop,” said Sam Olson, Field Office Director for ICE’s Chicago Enforcement and Removal Operations. “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. It is alarming how local jurisdictions continue to disregard federal law to the detriment of their communities.”
ICE officials said Bojovic identified himself as a Hanover Park police officer and admitted he did not have a weapon on him at the time of arrest, noting that he was only permitted to carry his firearm while on duty. Following confirmation of his visa overstay and lack of lawful status, ICE agents took Bojovic into custody.
Bergquam, who was on the scene covering the operation, described the discovery as “insane” and a symptom of failed state and local oversight. In his commentary, he said, “He was a visa overstay, and non-citizens can’t have a gun. So how can you become a police officer? They missed it, whether intentionally or not, and that’s not acceptable.”
Bergquam appeared on Gruber and Stinchfield to talk about the details:
Speaking directly to viewers in his breaking report, Bergquam questioned how Illinois’ hiring policies could allow an illegal alien to be armed and entrusted with enforcing the law. “This police officer in Hanover Park, just outside of Chicago, is here illegally. He overstayed his visa. How he got hired as a police officer is crazy,” Bergquam said. “You can’t own a firearm legally unless you’re an American citizen, but police departments are giving you one and authorizing you to use it in deadly force situations. That is insane.”
Bergquam noted that while the officer may personally “love America,” the law is clear — only citizens or lawful permanent residents can possess firearms or serve in armed law enforcement positions under federal statutes. He went on to warn that this incident raises larger concerns about public safety and state compliance with federal law.
“This isn’t about one guy,” Bergquam said. “How many others are working in our country as police officers who aren’t even citizens? They haven’t sworn allegiance to our Constitution, yet they’re being handed guns by departments that are supposed to protect Americans. That law has to change.”
ICE officials reiterated that anyone with information about similar violations or related activity can contact federal authorities by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE or using the online tip form at ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form.
Bergquam’s coverage adds another explosive chapter to his ongoing reporting on immigration enforcement under Law & Border, exposing what he and federal officers describe as a dangerous breakdown between local sanctuary policies and federal immigration law.
We covered that development: