Why Did Trump Stop Migrant Child Transfers to Southwest Key Programs?

The Trump administration has halted placing migrant children with Southwest Key Programs, the nation’s largest provider of migrant children’s shelters, following disturbing allegations of sexual abuse by the organization’s employees.

Key Takeaways

The Department of Health and Human Services has severed ties with Southwest Key Programs due to allegations of sexual abuse of migrant children by employees.
A lawsuit filed during the previous administration accused Southwest Key of a pattern of abuse from 2015 to 2023, including allegations of rape and inappropriate touching of children as young as 5 years old.
All children previously housed at Southwest Key facilities have been relocated, and the organization has issued furlough notices to employees.
Southwest Key has operated 26 shelters across Texas, Arizona, and California and has been working with the U.S. government since 1996.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized the administration’s commitment to ending human trafficking and abuse of unaccompanied alien children.

Serious Allegations Lead to Government Action

The Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced its decision to stop placing unaccompanied migrant children in shelters operated by Southwest Key Programs. This Texas-based nonprofit, which has been the largest provider of shelters for unaccompanied minors in the United States, has been accused of multiple instances of sexual abuse of migrant children by its staff members. The organization operates 26 shelters and a foster care program across Texas, Arizona, and California and has worked with the federal government since 1996.

The Justice Department had filed a lawsuit against Southwest Key alleging a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse and harassment of unaccompanied children from 2015 to 2023. Following HHS’s decision to remove all children from Southwest Key facilities, the Justice Department has now moved to dismiss this lawsuit. The allegations detail serious misconduct, including rape, inappropriate touching, and solicitation of sex acts, with one worker accused of repeatedly abusing several girls, the youngest being just 5 years old.

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

Administration’s Response and Southwest Key’s Denial

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made it clear that protecting vulnerable children is a priority for the Trump administration. “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 Secretary further emphasized that the administration is taking decisive steps to address what he described as “appalling abuse of innocents” that has occurred for too long.

Meanwhile, Southwest Key has strongly denied all allegations. A spokesperson for the organization issued a staunch statement declaring, “Southwest Key strongly denied the claims relating to child sexual abuse in our shelters, and there is no settlement or payment required. We are glad this matter is now concluded. We always believed the facts would prove the allegations to be without merit.” Despite these denials, the federal government has proceeded with its decision to sever ties with the nonprofit organization.

Aftermath and Ongoing Concerns

Attorney General Pamela Bondi connected the issue to broader border policy concerns, “Under the border policies of the previous administration, bad actors were incentivized to exploit children and break our laws. This ends now,” announced Bondi. According to reports, at least two Southwest Key workers have faced criminal charges related to the allegations of abuse. The organization has now issued furlough notices to employees, describing the situation as “challenging and unforeseen.”

The National Center for Youth Law has expressed concern about the Justice Department’s dismissal of the lawsuit, suggesting it might deny children recourse for harms they may have suffered. The organization has urged Senator Chuck Grassley to seek an explanation from the Justice Department regarding this decision. Senator Grassley has reportedly contacted the Justice Department requesting clarity on why the case was dismissed after the children were removed from Southwest Key facilities.