DOJ Sues Southwest Key Over Sexual Abuse

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Key Programs Inc., the largest housing provider for unaccompanied migrant children, alleging a pervasive pattern of sexual abuse and harassment by its employees spanning from at least 2015 to 2023. The suit claims that minors in the shelters were subjected to rape, inappropriate touching, solicitation of sex acts, and threats of violence to ensure their silence. Specific allegations include sexual abuse of young children and a staffer taking a boy to a hotel for several days of abuse. Southwest Key, which operates 29 shelters in Texas, Arizona, and California, denies the allegations but has stated they are reviewing the claims. The DOJ seeks relief for the victims and reforms to prevent future incidents, criticizing the nonprofit for failing to report and adequately address the abuse. This lawsuit highlights the severe vulnerabilities faced by migrant children in the care of federally contracted facilities.