Fact Check Analysis: Frenzy of developments cement Chicago as epicenter of immigration crackdown | CNN

Introduction

The article was flagged for fact-checking after readers raised doubts about critical issues at the intersection of immigration enforcement and law enforcement hiring standards in Chicago. Specific attention was directed toward the arrest of a police officer for alleged immigration violations, the enforcement of federal firearms laws, and the adequacy of background screening for law enforcement officers who are immigrants. This fact-check dissects these claims, gives historical background, and uses official records and recent reporting to bring clarity to the controversies fueling today’s public debate.

Historical Context

Immigration enforcement actions and the relationship between federal authorities and sanctuary cities like Chicago have long been contentious, particularly since the rise of high-profile raids and deportation efforts in recent years. Policies such as the deployment of federal agents, court-ordered reforms, and high-volume arrests have been catalysts for both legal battles and civil protest. Local police hiring of non-citizen officers, while governed by strict federal and state-level immigration and firearms rules, continues to present legal and procedural challenges, especially during moments of increased scrutiny and political tension.

Fact-Check of Specific Claims

Claim #1: “How did he get past the federal law banning undocumented immigrants from even possessing a gun?”

Federal law indeed prohibits undocumented immigrants from possessing firearms. The Department of Homeland Security alleges that Radule Bojovic, the Hanover Park police officer in question, overstayed a B-2 tourist visa that expired in 2015. However, the Hanover Park Police Department reported that Bojovic presented a valid Work Authorization Card at the time of his hiring in 2025, and both state and federal background checks were completed. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed to the department that Bojovic’s status permitted him to carry a firearm while on duty. If Bojovic’s authorization was current at the time of hiring, he would have been eligible under the law; the DHS’s later determination suggests new information about his status emerged after the background checks. ([CBS News – Chicago](https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/ice-arrests-hanover-park-police-officer-radule-bojovic/?utm_source=openai))

Claim #2: “How does someone stay in law enforcement for years without anyone noticing their visa expired?”

According to the Hanover Park Police Department, Bojovic was only hired in January 2025—several years after his initial visa was said to have expired in 2015. He passed all required checks with documentation showing legal work authorization at the time of hire, verified through state and federal agencies and corroborated by the ATF concerning firearm eligibility. This indicates that either his work authorization was legitimate and up to date when issued, or that any irregularities in status only surfaced later, possibly due to fraudulent documents or gaps in continued monitoring post-hire. There is presently no public evidence that Bojovic worked as an officer for “years” prior to detection, as his employment began only months before his arrest. ([CBS News – Chicago](https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/ice-arrests-hanover-park-police-officer-radule-bojovic/?utm_source=openai)).

Claim #3: “Are departments just not checking immigration status at all?”

The Hanover Park Police Department has stated that it conducted comprehensive background checks—including verification by the Illinois State Police, the FBI, and the ATF. The department required a valid Work Authorization Card, and the ATF specifically ruled that Bojovic’s then-declared status enabled legal firearm possession on duty. These facts indicate that the department did check immigration status as part of their hiring process according to standard protocols. However, Bojovic’s arrest raises important questions about the effectiveness of ongoing verification and whether all agencies can reliably detect changes or undisclosed history in an individual’s immigration status post-hire. ([CBS News – Chicago](https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/ice-arrests-hanover-park-police-officer-radule-bojovic/?utm_source=openai)).

Claim #4: “A federal appeals court upheld a lower court’s ruling temporarily denying the Trump administration’s effort to deploy National Guard troops in Illinois.”

This claim is accurate and confirmed by multiple reputable sources. On October 16, 2025, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s temporary restraining order, blocking the deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois on grounds of insufficient evidence of “rebellion” or need for federal intervention. ([Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-appeals-court-wont-allow-deployment-national-guard-illinois-while-it-weighs-2025-10-16/?utm_source=openai)).

Conclusion

The article accurately represents major recent developments in Chicago’s immigration enforcement, including court orders and high-profile arrests. Its coverage of Operation Midway Blitz, the handling of protests, and legal disputes over the National Guard is consistent with official statements and the public record. With regard to the police officer’s arrest—central to the user’s concerns—the facts reveal that standard procedures for background checks and immigration status verification were followed by the department, but that confusion may arise from the complexities of federal work authorization processes and the need for continuous monitoring. Overall, the article avoids overt bias, but could provide more detail to help readers understand how administrative oversights or document discrepancies can lead to situations like Bojovic’s case. The article’s reporting is broadly accurate, contextualized by legal rulings and official statements, with no major factual errors or evidence of deliberate misinformation.

Take Action Now

To stay informed and help tackle misinformation in real time, Download the DBUNK App and submit your own fact-check requests for free. Empower yourself and your community with verified facts.