Grijalva Statement on Justice Department Lawsuit Against Southwest Key for Sexual Abuse and Harassment of Migrant Children

WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Southwest Key Programs Inc. (Southwest Key), a Texas-based nonprofit that provides housing to unaccompanied children who are encountered at the southern land border of the United States. The lawsuit alleges that Southwest Key, through its employees, has engaged in a pattern or practice of sexual abuse and harassment of unaccompanied children in Southwest Key shelters in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

Today, Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07) issued the following statement:"The allegations raised by the DOJ against Southwest Key are the worst imaginable. There is no more important job than ensuring the safety and protection of children in this country, no matter where they come from or the circumstances."

"Children should never be separated from their families or placed in detention, where they may be subjected to vulnerable environments that expose them to physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. It is clear that separating children from their families under the Trump administration was a failure of humanity that set up a system of pervasive abuse. If we cannot quickly reunite unaccompanied children with their families, we must provide shelter that guarantees a safe, nurturing environment that fully addresses the traumas they have faced in addition to granting them access to the legal services they need."

"I have called on both the previous Trump administration and current Biden administration for answers on the failure to safeguard these children. I support the DOJ's lawsuit to hold Southwest Key responsible for their actions and call for every last perpetrator to be found and criminally charged. I applaud HHS Secretary Becerra's zero-tolerance for abuse policy, and the efforts to reevaluate the assignment of children under their care. We must hold contracts that provide shelter to vulnerable children to the highest standard and strictest level of scrutiny. We must do better."

Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or abuse at Southwest Key shelters or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, may contact the Justice Department's housing discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291.

For Spanish dial "2"; then dial "2" for sexual harassment cases; and dial "3" for the Southwest Key lawsuit mailbox. For English dial "1"; then dial "2" for sexual harassment cases; and dial "9" for the Southwest Key lawsuit mailbox. Individuals can also email the Justice Department at [email protected] or report through our online portal at civilrights.justice.gov/link/southwestkey.

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