The U.S. Justice Department has taken legal action against Southwest Key Programs Inc., a prominent Texas-based nonprofit specializing in providing shelter to unaccompanied children encountered at the U.S. southern border. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, alleges severe and pervasive sexual abuse and harassment of children under the care of Southwest Key, in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division condemned the alleged misconduct, emphasizing that residential shelters should be safe havens for children. She described the sexual abuse as “abusive, dehumanizing and unlawful,” stressing the urgent need for accountability and reforms to safeguard vulnerable children from future harm.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra expressed support for the Justice Department’s actions, highlighting HHS’s zero-tolerance policy against all forms of sexual abuse and harassment. Secretary Becerra underscored the gravity of the allegations, pledging continued collaboration with oversight agencies to ensure accountability within care-giving programs like Southwest Key.
The lawsuit outlines that Southwest Key, which operates 29 shelters across Texas, Arizona, and California, failed to adequately protect children in its custody despite receiving grants from HHS’s Office of Refugee Resettlement. Allegations spanning from 2015 to 2023 include claims of sexual contact, inappropriate touching, solicitation of sex acts, and other forms of harassment perpetrated by multiple employees. The complaint further asserts that Southwest Key disregarded federal requirements aimed at preventing and reporting abuse, thereby perpetuating an unsafe environment for minors.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani, representing the Western and Southern Districts of Texas respectively, underscored the devastating impact of such abuses on children seeking safety in the United States. They pledged to work closely with federal counterparts to pursue justice for the victims and ensure stringent measures are implemented to prevent future occurrences.
The lawsuit seeks significant remedies, including monetary compensation for affected children, civil penalties to uphold public interest, and a court-mandated injunction requiring Southwest Key to adopt comprehensive reforms aimed at preventing sexual harassment within its facilities.
The legal action against Southwest Key Programs Inc. underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting the rights and safety of vulnerable children in the care of federally funded organizations, and serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities entrusted to providers of shelter and care for unaccompanied minors.