Controversy Surrounds Illinois Officer’s Employment Following Visa Issues
A police department in a suburb of Chicago is facing criticism after announcing that an officer, who had been arrested by ICE for overstaying his visa, would continue in his role. The Hanover Park officials, located across DuPage and Cook counties, expressed their support for Officer LaDur Bojovich, stating that his employment adhered to legal requirements and he possessed the necessary federal work authorization.
However, the Department of Homeland Security expressed its displeasure. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin remarked, “What kind of police would give a badge and a gun to an illegal alien who committed a crime? It’s a felony for an alien to even possess a firearm.” She further claimed that such actions amount to violations of the law, highlighting that Bojovich’s employment costs taxpayers an estimated $205,707.
The department noted that Bojovich was encountered during a crackdown operation led by Chicago ICE and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. Reports indicated that Bojovich’s tourist visa expired in 2015, raising questions about how he managed to secure employment in the U.S. illegally for a decade.
In defense, the Hanover Park officials maintained that Bojovich was hired through the proper channels and had recently renewed his work authorization card. He resumed full duty on Tuesday after posting a $2,500 bail related to the DHS case, which was not contested.
This situation has drawn reactions from various individuals, including conservative commentator Chaya Lajczyk, known for her online presence as “LibsOfTikTok.” She expressed her disbelief on social media, questioning why undocumented immigrants were serving as police officers with taxpayer-funded salaries. Additionally, reports indicated that Bojovich might receive back pay for his time off duty, which further fueled criticism.
Interestingly, local media sources mentioned that Bojovich has no recorded criminal history in state or federal databases. Concurrently, a town in Maine is also under scrutiny after it was revealed that an illegal immigrant from Jamaica was arrested while acting as a reserve police officer and attempting to purchase a firearm illegally.
Fox News Digital is seeking additional comments from the Hanover Park Police Department and the deputy chief referenced in the press release regarding this matter.
