The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the cessation of placing unaccompanied alien children in shelters operated by Southwest Key Programs, Inc. All children previously housed there have been relocated to other facilities.
“This administration is working fearlessly to end the tragedy of human trafficking and other abuses of unaccompanied alien children who enter the country illegally,” stated HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. He emphasized that today's action marks a significant step toward ending such abuse.
Southwest Key has managed 27 residential shelters across Texas, Arizona, and California, making it the largest provider for unaccompanied alien children's shelters in the United States. These operations are funded through grants from the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement. The term "unaccompanied alien children" refers to minors entering the U.S. without parents or legal guardians and lacking lawful immigration status.
In July 2024, a civil lawsuit was filed against Southwest Key by the Department of Justice (DOJ), accusing its employees of subjecting these children to unlawful sexual harassment and abuse. Due to ongoing concerns, HHS decided to halt placements at Southwest Key facilities and reassess its grants with them. Consequently, the DOJ has dismissed its lawsuit against Southwest Key.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi remarked on this development: “Securing our border and protecting children from abuse are among the most critical missions of the Department of Justice and the Trump administration.” She noted that previous border policies had incentivized bad actors to exploit children but asserted that "this ends now."
