The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit alleging that employees of Southwest Key Programs Inc., the largest housing provider for unaccompanied migrant children in the U.S., sexually abused and harassed children in their care for at least eight years. The lawsuit details shocking offenses, including rape, sexual solicitation, and threats to maintain silence.
Southwest Key Programs Inc. operates 29 child migrant shelters across Texas, Arizona, and California, with a total capacity of over 6,300 children. The organization has received more than $3 billion in government contracts from 2015 to 2023.
The lawsuit reveals disturbing incidents, such as an employee sexually abusing three girls aged 5, 8, and 15 at different shelters. Children were threatened with violence if they reported the abuse, and some staff members allegedly knew about the misconduct but failed to act.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra expressed serious concerns about Southwest Key's practices and emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of abuse and harassment. The lawsuit comes amid ongoing oversight challenges in the care of unaccompanied migrant children.
Attorneys representing the children involved in the case have condemned the allegations as profoundly disturbing and called for aggressive measures to ensure the safety of children in Southwest Key facilities.
Southwest Key Programs Inc. has disputed the portrayal of its care for children and is reviewing the complaint. The organization's facilities have been at the center of immigration controversies, with a focus on providing quality care for children.
The Justice Department's lawsuit sheds light on a troubling situation that demands swift and thorough investigation to protect the vulnerable children in the care of Southwest Key Programs Inc.
