In a major legal action, the U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Key, the largest provider of shelters for unaccompanied migrant children in the United States. The lawsuit, lodged in the Western District of Texas, accuses the Austin-based nonprofit organization of widespread sexual abuse and harassment of minors under its care, alleging a “pattern” of “severe or pervasive sexual harassment” that dates back to at least 2015.
Southwest Key operates 29 shelters across Texas, Arizona, and California, providing temporary housing for unaccompanied minors who arrive at the U.S. border. These operations are funded by grants from the Department of Health and Human Services. The lawsuit’s allegations have cast a shadow over the organization’s role in safeguarding vulnerable children.
The legal complaint details several harrowing incidents. In 2022, an employee at Casa Franklin in El Paso, Texas, allegedly sexually abused three girls aged 5, 8, and 11 repeatedly. The 8-year-old reported being threatened with harm to her family if she disclosed the abuse. Such incidents highlight the grave risks faced by children in these shelters and raise questions about the adequacy of protections in place.
Another alarming incident cited in the lawsuit occurred in 2020, when an employee took a 15-year-old boy from Casa Kokopelli in Arizona to a hotel room for several days, paying him for sexual acts. This case exemplifies the severe breaches of trust and safety that the lawsuit aims to address.
The Justice Department’s complaint asserts that Southwest Key failed to consistently follow federal requirements for preventing, detecting, and reporting abuse. The complaint describes various forms of misconduct, including “severe sexual abuse and rape, solicitation of sex acts, solicitation of nude photos, entreaties for sexually inappropriate relationships, sexual comments, and gestures.” These allegations paint a grim picture of the environment within some of the shelters.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Sexual harassment of children in residential shelters, where a child should be safe and secure, is abusive, dehumanizing, and unlawful.” Clarke’s statement underscores the fundamental failures in the system designed to protect these children.
In response, Southwest Key spokesperson Anais Biera Miracle defended the organization, asserting that the complaint “does not present the accurate picture of the care and commitment our employees provide to the youth and children.” Miracle maintained that Southwest Key continues to partner with the U.S. government to ensure the safety of the children in its care. This defense highlights the ongoing dispute over the organization’s practices and the true extent of the issues.
The lawsuit arrives amid a backdrop of record-high migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border during the Biden administration. Since fiscal year 2021 through June 2024, over 500,000 unaccompanied minors have arrived at the southwest border, according to U.S. government data. This surge has put additional pressure on the shelter system and intensified scrutiny of how these facilities operate.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges in managing the influx of unaccompanied migrant children and ensuring their safety while in government care. It also shows the need for stringent oversight and accountability in the shelter system for vulnerable young migrants.