Widespread Abuse Allegations at Shelters for Migrant Children Prompt DOJ Lawsuit

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Key, the largest shelter provider for unaccompanied migrant children. The lawsuit accuses the non-profit of a long-standing pattern of severe sexual abuse and harassment across its shelters in Texas, Arizona, and California dating back to at least 2015.

The U.S. Department of Justice has leveled serious accusations against Southwest Key, the foremost shelter provider for unaccompanied migrant children in the United States. In a lawsuit filed this week in the Western District of Texas, the DOJ alleges a 'pattern' of 'severe or pervasive sexual harassment' dating back to at least 2015 across the network of shelters operated by the Austin, Texas-based non-profit.

The complaint details numerous alarming incidents of sexual abuse and harassment, including cases of 'severe sexual abuse and rape, solicitation of sex acts, solicitation of nude photos, entreaties for sexually inappropriate relationships, sexual comments, and gestures.' One particularly disturbing case from 2022 involved the repeated sexual abuse of three young girls at Casa Franklin in El Paso, Texas. The Justice Department claims that Southwest Key repeatedly failed to protect the children and did not meet federal standards for preventing, uncovering, and reporting abuse.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke remarked, 'Sexual harassment of children in residential shelters, where a child should be safe and secure, is abusive, dehumanizing, and unlawful.' The lawsuit puts a spotlight on the acute vulnerabilities of the over 500,000 unaccompanied minors who have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border since 2021, many of whom are temporarily housed in Southwest Key facilities.

(With inputs from agencies.)