Inside Tornillo: Testimony opens migrant art exhibit

The UTEP Centennial Museum is showcasing an exhibit of artwork by teenage migrants that were held at the Tornillo facility last year.

The pieces focus mostly on native flora and fauna from their Central American countries.

“Behind each of the pretty looking pieces lies a desperate kid,” said a young man presented as Freddy, 17 year old who spent two-and-a-half months detained in Tornillo.

He addressed visitors, along with a series of advocates who work with migrants. Freddy, with his attorney standing next to him, told ABC-7 he would sometimes be separated from the other teens when there were problems.

Other migrant teens told ABC-7 on trips to the site they were doing well and they seemed ok.

But Freddy said he would lie to his parents on the phone, telling them he was ok, even if he felt like the world was collapsing around him.

Other migrant teens had told ABC-7 things weren’t bad and the trip and detention was worth it.

Freddy agreed the ordeal was worth it, but says he still has nightmares from his time in detention, something he’ll never forget.

The Tornillo site shut down in January.

The exhibit will remain up on UTEP’s campus until early October.