An attorney for an immigrant child appears before Judge John M. Bryant, the clerk next to him and the government attorney, Andrew Wagner, to the left of the immigrant attorney standing.
Sketches from immigration court
An attorney for an immigrant child appears before Judge John M. Bryant, the clerk next to him and the government attorney, Andrew Wagner, to the left of the immigrant attorney standing.
Sketches by Bill Hennessy

Updated 1:17 PM EDT, Fri June 29, 2018

CNN and sketch artist Bill Hennessy sat in on immigration court proceedings in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday, June 28. Children as young as six appeared before the judge, who spoke to most of them through translators. Read CNN's full report on the proceedings.

Every immigrant is provided headphones to listen to an interpreter's translation of what is being said in court. Here, 6-year-old Rodolfo, the youngest child in court this day, sits on his father's lap. As he did with most of the children, Judge Bryant asked Rodolfo if he was in school.
Every immigrant is provided headphones to listen to an interpreter's translation of what is being said in court. Here, 6-year-old Rodolfo, the youngest child in court this day, sits on his father's lap. As he did with most of the children, Judge Bryant asked Rodolfo if he was in school.
Sketches by Bill Hennessy
Rosemary, 12, was in court with her mother. Her attorney said they had applied for a Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, which is for minors who have been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent.
Rosemary, 12, was in court with her mother. Her attorney said they had applied for a Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, which is for minors who have been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent.
Sketches by Bill Hennessy
Immigration Judge John. M. Bryant speaks. "Have a nice summer," he said to Rosemary after granting her a court date in February 2019. "Just be a kid, OK?"
Immigration Judge John. M. Bryant speaks. "Have a nice summer," he said to Rosemary after granting her a court date in February 2019. "Just be a kid, OK?"
Sketches by Bill Hennessy
Lawmakers listen during court. The hearings were observed by six Democratic members of Congress: Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland; Rep. Don Beyer, whose Virginia district includes the court; Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico; and Reps. Pete Aguilar, Nanette Diaz Barragán and Norma Torres, all of California.
Lawmakers listen during court. The hearings were observed by six Democratic members of Congress: Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland; Rep. Don Beyer, whose Virginia district includes the court; Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico; and Reps. Pete Aguilar, Nanette Diaz Barragán and Norma Torres, all of California.
Sketches by Bill Hennessy
An immigrant teen in court.
An immigrant teen in court.
Sketches by Bill Hennessy
Department of Justice immigration court seal. While all the children in Bryant's courtroom on this afternoon had attorneys, the Arlington Immigration Court is not typical of the country, where closer to 1-in-3 children are represented in court. Bryant was also generous with the continuances requested by attorneys as they waited to hear from the government on applications for other visas for the children, despite uniform opposition by the government attorney in court.
Department of Justice immigration court seal. While all the children in Bryant's courtroom on this afternoon had attorneys, the Arlington Immigration Court is not typical of the country, where closer to 1-in-3 children are represented in court. Bryant was also generous with the continuances requested by attorneys as they waited to hear from the government on applications for other visas for the children, despite uniform opposition by the government attorney in court.
Sketches by Bill Hennessy