https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/02/us/southwest-key-migrant-children.html

He’s Built an Empire, With Detained Migrant Children as the Bricks
The founder of Southwest Key made millions from housing migrant children. His nonprofit has stockpiled taxpayer dollars and possibly engaged in self-dealing with top executives.
By Kim Barker, Nicholas Kulish and Rebecca R. Ruiz
Dec. 2, 2018

Juan Sanchez grew up along the Mexican border in a two-bedroom house so crowded with children that he didn’t have a bed. But he fought his way to another life. He earned three degrees, including a doctorate in education from Harvard, before starting a nonprofit in his Texas hometown.

Mr. Sanchez has built an empire on the back of a crisis. His organization, Southwest Key Programs, now houses more migrant children than any other in the nation. Casting himself as a social-justice warrior, he calls himself El Presidente, a title inscribed outside his office and on the government contracts that helped make him rich.

Southwest Key has collected $1.7 billion in federal grants in the past decade, including $626 million in the past year alone. But as it has grown, tripling its revenue in three years, the organization has left a record of sloppy management and possible financial improprieties, according to dozens of interviews and an examination of documents. It has stockpiled tens of millions of taxpayer dollars with little government oversight and possibly engaged in self-dealing with top executives.

As immigration intensifies as a flash point of the Trump presidency, with tear gas being fired at a migrant caravan and the price tag for separating families continuing to rise, Mr. Sanchez is central to the administration’s plans. Southwest Key can now house up to 5,000 children in its 24 shelters, including a converted Walmart Supercenter that has drawn criticism as a warehouse for youths. The system is nearing a breaking point, with a record 14,000 minors at about 100 sites — a human crisis, but also a moneymaking opportunity.

Juan Sanchez earned $1.5 million last year as Southwest Key’s chief executive. Tamir Kalifa for The New York Times

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

essadaw

(185 posts)

3. I've always been impressed that Beto has been continually protesting for these children

Reply to Indygram (Original post)

Sat Jun 29, 2019, 12:22 PM

Jun 2019

Even when the national media grew bored with it a while back, he continued. Now that the national media attention is back on it, he still is continuing. He's authentic.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided