Getting your Trinity Audio

More Top Picks Emporio Armani Stronger With You Intensely For Men

player ready...
Walter Polovchak, 12, arrives at Juvenile Family Court with his attorney, Julian E. Kulas and his sister Nataly, 17, on July 19, 1980. Walter's father wants to return to Ukraine but Walter wants to stay here.
Walter Polovchak, 12, arrives at Juvenile Family Court with his attorney, Julian E. Kulas and his sister Nataly, 17, on July 19, 1980. Walter’s father wants to return to Ukraine but Walter wants to stay here.
Walter Polovchak, center, walks into the Juvenile Court building for a trial concerning his custody on Aug. 4, 1980.
Walter Polovchak, center, walks into the Juvenile Court building for a trial concerning his custody on Aug. 4, 1980.
Anna Polovchak, left, carries her son Michael through the hallway in the Shakespeare Youth Division Police Station on July 18, 1980. Her husband, Michael, second from right, talks with Julian Kulas, right, a lawyer retained by the Polovchak's 12-year old son Walter who wants to stay in the United States despite his parents desire to return to the Soviet Union. The family came to Chicago from Ukraine.
Anna Polovchak, left, carries her son Michael through the hallway in the Shakespeare Youth Division Police Station on July 18, 1980. Her husband, Michael, second from right, talks with Julian Kulas, right, a lawyer retained by the Polovchak’s 12-year old son Walter who wants to stay in the United States despite his parents desire to return to the Soviet Union. The family came to Chicago from Ukraine.
Walter Polovchak, who refused to return to the Soviet Union’s Ukraine with his parents, lets his T-shirt express his feelings on Dec. 31, 1981: “I’m happy to be in America,” it says.
Outside the court, a pained Michael Polovchak wrestles with the judge's decision to place is son Walter, 12, in the state's custody until a request for permanent residency is reviewed on July 19, 1980.
Outside the court, a pained Michael Polovchak wrestles with the judge’s decision to place is son Walter, 12, in the state’s custody until a request for permanent residency is reviewed on July 19, 1980.
Walter Polovchak is escorted to Juvenile Court on Aug. 4, 1980.
Walter Polovchak is escorted to Juvenile Court on Aug. 4, 1980.
Anna Polovchak and her youngest son Michael at the home they lived in on West Fullerton Avenue on July 21, 1980. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization service granted her older son Walter, 12, political asylum.
Anna Polovchak and her youngest son Michael at the home they lived in on West Fullerton Avenue on July 21, 1980. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization service granted her older son Walter, 12, political asylum.
Walter Polovchak, center, and some of his friends on March 4, 1981.
Walter Polovchak, center, and some of his friends on March 4, 1981.
Michael Polovchak, father of Walter, 12, on April 27, 1982. The Illinois Appellate Court has refused to rehear the case in which they ruled on Dec. 30, 1981, in favor of Anna and Michale Polovchak. The court ruled that the Cook County Juvenile Court should not have intervened into the case concerning their minor son, Walter.
Michael Polovchak, father of Walter, 12, on April 27, 1982. The Illinois Appellate Court has refused to rehear the case in which they ruled on Dec. 30, 1981, in favor of Anna and Michale Polovchak. The court ruled that the Cook County Juvenile Court should not have intervened into the case concerning their minor son, Walter.
Walter Polovchak, center, arrives with his attorney Julian E. Kulas to the attorney's office at 2329 West Chicago Ave. on May 27, 1983, in Chicago.
Walter Polovchak, center, arrives with his attorney Julian E. Kulas to the attorney’s office at 2329 West Chicago Ave. on May 27, 1983, in Chicago.
Walter Polovchak graduates from 8th grade at Gray Elementary School in Chicago on June 15, 1983.
Walter Polovchak graduates from 8th grade at Gray Elementary School in Chicago on June 15, 1983.
Walter Polovchak and his sister Nataly at Walter's 8th grade graduation on June 15, 1983, at Gray Elementary School in Chicago.
Walter Polovchak and his sister Nataly at Walter’s 8th grade graduation on June 15, 1983, at Gray Elementary School in Chicago.
Walter Polovchak, left, who became a U.S. citizen on Oct. 8, displays his selective service card outside the post office at Adams and Dearborn streets after registering for the draft on Oct. 23, 1985. Polovchak, 18, who refused to return to the Soviet Union with his Ukrainian parents six years ago, said, “To keep this country strong, you’ve got to register.” He was accompanied by his lawyer, Julian Kulas, right.
Walter Polovchak, who turns 18 the following week, stands in front of is lawyers office on Sept. 26, 1985.
Walter Polovchak, who turns 18 the following week, stands in front of is lawyers office on Sept. 26, 1985.
Walter Polovchak in downtown Chicago ten years after his battle to stay in the United States, July 30, 1990. “I sit back and think about what I would be doing in the Soviet Union … two years in the Army and then, chances are, I would be working in a factory.”