Migrant children were put in abusive shelters for years, suit says. Critics blame lack of oversight
BY JAIMIE DING AND VALERIE GONZALEZ
Updated 1:43 AM EDT, July 20, 2024
MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — As allegations of sexual abuse built up at the largest housing provider for unaccompanied migrant children in the U.S., officials continued placing children in their care in a system that lacks adequate oversight, advocates say.
A lawsuit filed Wednesday by the Justice Department alleges employees of Southwest Key Programs Inc. sexually abused and harassed children in their care for at least eight years. During that time, the nonprofit organization amassed billions of dollars in government contracts and continued to house thousands of unaccompanied migrant children entering the U.S.
It remained unclear Friday how many children are currently in Southwest Key shelters, and federal officials did not respond to questions about whether any actions would be taken in response to the lawsuit. Critics say it reflects a system that has lacked accountability for years.
https://apnews.com/article/southwest-key-migrant-children-lawsuit-ee466d9490ec8fcd90ce85b1afca0002
