In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing, Durbin Calls For Stronger Oversight On Private Providers Of Shelter And Care For Unaccompanied Migrant Children

In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing, Durbin Calls For Stronger Oversight On Private Providers Of Shelter And Care For Unaccompanied Migrant Children

In his opening statement, Durbin repeated his request to hold a hearing on the Trump Administration's decision to drop a lawsuit against Southwest Key, an organization that has been repeatedly accused of subjecting unaccompanied migrant children to sexual abuse and harassment

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement in today's Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration hearing on the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children who have sought refuge in the United States. In his opening remarks, Durbin focused on the need to conduct proper oversight over the facilities that are contracted to provide shelter and care for unaccompanied children. Durbin also reiterated his request for a Committee hearing on the Trump Administration's decision to drop a lawsuit against Southwest Key, which has been repeatedly accused of subjecting unaccompanied migrant children to sexual abuse and harassment.

Key Quotes:

"A few months ago, I joined all my Democratic colleagues on this Committee in a letter to Chairman Grassley, requesting a hearing on the Trump Administration's decision to voluntarily drop a lawsuit against Southwest Key, the largest private provider of shelter and care for unaccompanied children."

"Southwest Key has been accused of repeatedly subjecting children to sexual abuse and harassment between 2015 and 2023-which is why the Biden Administration filed a lawsuit against them. I hope that we can get a response from the Chairman and a hearing on that issue about why that lawsuit was dropped by the Trump Administration."

"I've joined with Senator Padilla to renew that request because we have new whistleblower allegations that the Trump Administration misled the courts to justify deporting unaccompanied children at risk of trafficking and abuse."

"Protecting children should be bipartisan, not partisan. When I was Chair, we held a hearing holding the Biden officials accountable for the unaccompanied children. I call on Chairs Grassley and Cornyn to do the same, [to] have the courage to hold this Administration responsible as well. Let's get to the bottom of this for the good of these children."

Video of Durbin's opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin's opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin's opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

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