US Halts Use of Migrant Shelters Operated by Southwest Key Programs Over Abuse Allegations

The federal government has moved unaccompanied migrant children to other facilities and dismissed a lawsuit following allegations of sexual abuse at Southwest Key shelters.

• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has ceased placing unaccompanied migrant children in Southwest Key Programs shelters and relocated all children to other facilities.
• The decision follows a 2024 Department of Justice lawsuit alleging sexual abuse and harassment of children by Southwest Key employees between 2015 and 2023.
• Specific allegations include incidents of rape, inappropriate touching, and solicitation of sexual acts by employees, with some victims as young as five years old.
• Southwest Key Programs, which operated 27 shelters in Texas, Arizona, and California, has furloughed approximately 5,000 employees due to the federal funding freeze and stop-placement order.
• The Department of Justice has dismissed its lawsuit against the organization, citing HHS's actions, while advocates express concern over the lack of accountability for the alleged abuses.

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