Trump administration cuts ties, ends suit against company alleging abuse at child migrant shelters
Source: Associated Press
Trump administration cuts ties, ends suit against company alleging abuse at child migrant shelters
By VALERIE GONZALEZ
Updated 2:50 PM EDT, March 12, 2025
McALLEN, Texas (AP) — The Trump administration moved to drop a civil lawsuit Wednesday against the largest provider of housing for migrant children over allegations of sexual abuse and harassment of unaccompanied minors, saying it also would no longer be using that company’s services.
The motion to dismiss the suit against Southwest Key Programs was filed after the federal government announced it had moved all unaccompanied children to other shelters and would no longer be using that provider.
The complaint, filed last year during the Biden administration, alleged a litany of offenses between 2015 and 2023 as Southwest Key Programs, which operates migrant shelters in Texas, Arizona and California, amassed nearly $3 billion in contracts from the Department of Health and Human Services.
“Out of continuing concerns relating to these placements, HHS has decided to stop placement of unaccompanied alien children in Southwest Key facilities, and to review its grants with the organization. In view of HHS’ action, the Department of Justice has dismissed its lawsuit against Southwest Key,” the HHS said in a statement.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/migrant-children-abuse-lawsuit-southwest-key-a075a4fb9c8f2898c7c0dd01b6928d31