Trump Administration Withdraws Migrant Children from Southwest Key Programs Amid Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Harassment – One America News Network

March 12, 2025 TruthUSA

(Photo by LOREN ELLIOTT/AFP via Getty Images)

By OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
5:44 PM – Wednesday, March 12, 2025

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that all unaccompanied children currently residing in shelters operated by Southwest Key Programs, Inc. have been relocated to other secure facilities.

What is the source of funding for Southwest Key shelters? Funding for shelters that accommodate unaccompanied minors comes from the federal government via the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), as stated on their website.

“This administration is making a strong commitment to combat human trafficking and the exploitation of unaccompanied children entering the country illegally,” declared HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “For far too long, these vulnerable children have been victims of abuse, both pre- and post-entry into the United States. Today’s measures mark a pivotal move towards eradicating this horrific exploitation of the innocent.”

As the foremost provider of shelters for “unaccompanied alien children” in the U.S., Southwest Key operates 27 residential facilities that provide temporary accommodations for these minors in Texas, Arizona, and California.

Referred to as unaccompanied alien children, these minors have entered the U.S. unlawfully—through smuggling, trafficking, or other means—without their parents or legal guardians and lack valid immigration status.

In July 2024, the Department of Justice initiated civil proceedings against Southwest Key, claiming that some employees had engaged in unlawful harassment and sexual abuse of the unaccompanied alien children in their care. Allegations pointed to inappropriate touching, solicitation of sexual acts, possession of nude photographs, and making sexual comments towards minors at the shelters from 2015 to 2023.

This lawsuit was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.

In light of ongoing safety concerns, HHS has decided to review its funding agreements with Southwest Key and to halt the placement of unaccompanied alien children in those shelters.

“Following HHS’ actions, the Department of Justice has dropped its lawsuit against Southwest Key,” reported the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“Ensuring the security of our borders and protecting children from abuse are among the top priorities of the Department of Justice and the Trump administration,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “The previous administration’s border policies allowed perpetrators to exploit children and violate our laws: this must come to an end.”

The announcement did not reveal the names of the shelter staff members implicated in the alleged sexual misconduct.

Frontline employees received notifications on Monday regarding pending furloughs, as reported by media outlets KVEO and ValleyCentral.com.