
(FeaturedHeadlines.com) The federal government handed over thousands of migrant children to a non-profit group now accused of subjecting the kids to sexual abuse. The group, Southwest Key, is the largest provider of shelter to unaccompanied minor migrants and received billions in federal funding while allegedly allowing the children to face abuse at the hands of employees.
The alleged abuse happened across multiple administrations from at least 2015 to 2023, the US Justice Department said in a lawsuit. Employees allegedly raped, abused, and solicited sexual acts and nude pictures from minors in their care. The Justice Department accuses employees of threatening the children to remain silent and exploited their status as solo minors who did not speak English.
The Texas-based organization received more than $3 billion in funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including after initial allegations of abuse. The group maintains 29 migrant shelters for minors in Texas, Arizona, and California. The facilities are able to accommodate more than 6,300 kids.
Federal law requires the US Border Patrol to hand over migrant children to HHS within 72 hours of detention. HHS then typically transfers custody of the children to relatives after stays at shelters like those operated by Southwest Key, which is the largest housing provider for unaccompanied minor migrants in the United States.
HHS has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse and other inappropriate behavior. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said that the department will cooperate with the Justice Department to hold entities like Southwest Key accountable.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit accuses Southwest Key of engaging in a pattern and practice of abuse and harassment, in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate kids impacted by the alleged abuse, as well as a civil penalty. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks an order requiring Southwest Key to take steps to prevent future inappropriate behavior.
Although organizations like Southwest Key claim to help unaccompanied minor migrants, their situation leaves them vulnerable to abuse like that alleged by the Justice Department. Should the lawsuit prove successful, hopefully such vulnerable children will be kept in a safer environment.
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