Southwest Key Programs, the largest U.S. provider for unaccompanied migrant children, stands accused of rampant abuse in a damning Justice Department lawsuit. Employees are alleged to have sexually abused and harassed children for nearly a decade, exploiting their vulnerability and isolation.
Allegations of Abuse Surface Against Major Housing Provider
Employees of the largest housing provider for unaccompanied migrant children in the U.S. are accused of sexually abusing and harassing children in their care for at least eight years. The Justice Department’s lawsuit reveals a disturbing pattern of misconduct by the company, which has secured billions in government contracts.
Accusations Against Southwest Key Programs Inc.
Southwest Key Programs Inc. staff, including supervisors, are alleged to have raped, touched, or solicited sex and nude images from children since at least 2015. Criminal charges have been filed against at least two employees since 2020.
Uncertainty Surrounding Current Shelter Conditions
The current number of children in Southwest Key’s shelters across three states, which can house over 6,300 children, remains unclear. The Justice Department has not commented on whether it has advised federal officials to relocate the children or terminate contracts with the nonprofit.
Exploitation and Threats Detailed in Lawsuit
The lawsuit claims that Southwest Key employees sometimes threatened children to keep them silent. These employees allegedly took advantage of the children’s vulnerabilities, language barriers, and separation from their families.
Southwest Key Responds to Allegations
Southwest Key issued a statement saying it is reviewing the complaint and disagreed with how their care for children is portrayed. The nonprofit operates 29 shelters in Texas, Arizona, and California, including a large facility in Brownsville, Texas.
Provider’s Role in Migrant Housing Under Scrutiny
The organization has been a significant yet low-profile player in the government’s handling of unaccompanied migrant children. From 2015 to 2023, Southwest Key received over $3 billion in government contracts to manage the influx of migrant children and those separated from their families.
Transfer Protocols for Unaccompanied Children
The Border Patrol must transfer unaccompanied children to Health and Human Services within 72 hours of arrest. Most children are released to parents or close relatives after short stays at Southwest Key or other contracted shelters.
Current Facility Numbers Unclear
Health and Human Services reported 6,228 children in all its facilities as of June 17, but specific numbers per shelter or provider are not disclosed. The department declined to specify how many children are currently in Southwest Key’s care.
Lawsuit Details Extensive Abuse Reports
The lawsuit, filed in Austin on Wednesday, reveals over 100 reports of sexual abuse or harassment at Southwest Key shelters since 2015. Authorities detail numerous incidents, including the repeated sexual abuse of three young girls at Casa Franklin in El Paso, Texas.
Severe Allegations in Tucson Shelter
An employee in Tucson allegedly took an 11-year-old boy to a hotel and paid him for sexual acts over several days in 2020. The lawsuit highlights that children were often threatened with violence if they reported abuse.
HHS Secretary Addresses Concerns
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra expressed serious concerns about the allegations against Southwest Key. He emphasized the department’s zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse and harassment in a statement on Thursday.
Licensing and Oversight Issues in Texas
In 2021, Texas revoked the licenses of facilities housing migrant children, which critics argue created an oversight void. The lawsuit was filed shortly after a federal judge lifted special court oversight of HHS’ care of unaccompanied migrant children.
Continued Oversight at DHS
Special court oversight remains for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Border Patrol. Attorney Leecia Welch criticized Texas’ license revocation and called the allegations against Southwest Key “absolutely disgusting.”
Calls for Federal Responsibility
Attorney Neha Desai urged the federal government to take aggressive measures to protect children in Southwest Key facilities. Desai highlighted the deeply disturbing nature of the allegations.
Southwest Key’s Growth Amid Controversies
Southwest Key expanded significantly as unaccompanied children began crossing the border in large numbers in 2014. The company maintains that its mission is to provide quality care, naming its shelters “casas” to evoke a sense of home.
Daily Life at Southwest Key Shelters
The Justice Department described a typical day at a Southwest Key Casa, including meals, schooling, and bedtime routines. This portrayal is part of the broader narrative of the company’s efforts to care for migrant children.
