Migrant Children Removed Amid Abuse Claims Against Southwest Key

The Trump administration has severed ties with Southwest Key Programs, a major provider of migrant children’s shelters, following disturbing allegations of sexual abuse by employees against minors in their care.

Key Takeaways

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the removal of all unaccompanied migrant children from Southwest Key facilities due to sexual abuse allegations.
Southwest Key, operating 26 shelters across Texas, Arizona, and California, was the largest provider of housing for unaccompanied minors in the U.S.
Allegations include sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, and solicitation of sex acts, with one worker accused of abusing several girls, the youngest being 5 years old.
The Justice Department dismissed a lawsuit against Southwest Key following HHS’s decision to remove children from the facilities.
Southwest Key has denied all allegations, and no settlement or payment was required as part of the lawsuit’s dismissal.

Trump Administration Takes Swift Action Against Alleged Abuse

The Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has announced the complete withdrawal of all unaccompanied migrant children from facilities operated by Southwest Key Programs. This decisive action follows serious allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by the organization’s employees against minors in their care. The Texas-based nonprofit, which has been the largest provider of shelters for unaccompanied minors in the United States since 1996, operates 26 shelters across Texas, Arizona, and California and has received substantial grants from the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Secretary Kennedy emphasized the administration’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children, “This administration is working fearlessly to end the tragedy of human trafficking and other abuses of unaccompanied children who enter the country illegally,” said Secretary Kennedy. The Trump administration has made it clear that it will not tolerate any form of exploitation or abuse of children under government care, regardless of their immigration status. All children previously housed at Southwest Key facilities have been relocated to alternative shelters as part of this protective measure.

Trump Admin Removes Migrant Children From Southwest Key Programs Following Sexual Abuse, Harassment Allegations https://t.co/U5zmBIBwER #OAN

— One America News (@OANN) March 13, 2025

Serious Allegations Prompt Federal Response

The lawsuit filed against Southwest Key accused the organization of a pattern of sexual abuse and harassment of unaccompanied children spanning from 2015 to 2023. The allegations detailed in court documents are deeply troubling, including rape, inappropriate touching, and solicitation of sex acts. In one particularly disturbing case, a worker was accused of repeatedly abusing several girls, with the youngest victim being only 5 years old. These serious claims have resulted in criminal charges for at least two Southwest Key employees.

Following the Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to remove all children from Southwest Key facilities, the Justice Department opted to dismiss its lawsuit against the organization. This dismissal does not include any settlement or payment requirement, a point that Southwest Key has emphasized in their response to the situation. The organization has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

Border Security and Child Protection Prioritized

Attorney General Pamela Bondi has voiced strong support for the administration’s actions, connecting the abuse allegations to broader border security concerns. “Under the border policies of the previous administration, bad actors were incentivized to exploit children and break our laws. This ends now,” declared Bondi, underscoring the current administration’s dual focus on protecting children and securing the nation’s borders.

The organization has issued an immediate furlough notice to its employees, describing the situation as “challenging and unforeseen.” The National Center for Youth Law has expressed concern about the lawsuit’s dismissal, fearing that affected children might be denied recourse for harms suffered. In response, the organization has urged Senator Chuck Grassley to seek an explanation from the Justice Department regarding the decision to dismiss the case without settlement.