Nonprofit leaders got rich from migrant children funding

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Federal records reveal that Southwest Key Programs, the largest provider of housing for unaccompanied migrant children, received approximately $3 billion in federal grants from the Biden administration between fiscal years 2021 and 2024. During this period, the organization significantly increased executive compensation, with some officials seeing their salaries double.

The Austin-based nonprofit’s leadership saw substantial pay increases, most notably its president’s compensation, which grew by 139% according to tax documents. Anselmo Villarreal, who took the helm as president and CEO in February 2021, saw his annual compensation rise from $491,642 to $1,174,551 by fiscal year 2023.

Other executives experienced similar financial windfalls. The chief human resources official Jose Arroyo Davila and chief information officer Andy Harper’s salaries doubled to approximately $600,000. The organization’s financial leadership also saw significant increases, with new CFO Roberto Flores earning $583,139, up from his predecessor Eric Marin’s $349,232 in fiscal year 2021.

🚨BREAKING: Southwest Key Programs has been awarded $378,100,000 for Fiscal Year 2025 DESPITE being sued by the DOJ for S*XUALLY ab*sing and R*PING unaccompanied migrant children under their care.

Southwest Key Programs is the largest provider of housing for migrant children… pic.twitter.com/JEh3PmjRV3

— Joseph Trimmer (@JosephTrimmer_) January 5, 2025

The salary increases extended throughout the organization’s leadership. Geraldo Rivera, who served as senior VP of immigration services before becoming chief program officer, saw his compensation increase from $312,791 to $555,998. Christina Cantu, the chief of staff, experienced a dramatic rise from $86,300 in 2019 to $326,228 by fiscal year 2022.

These substantial pay increases occurred despite the organization operating at a deficit for two out of three fiscal years. The average compensation for the top five executives rose from $420,000 to $720,000 between 2021 and 2023.

During this period, some Southwest Key officials made political contributions to Democratic campaigns. Veronica Delgado-Savage, a vice president whose salary increased from $297,792 to $326,086, contributed over $700 to Biden-Harris 2024 campaign efforts and associated PACs.

The organization faced serious allegations during this period. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of children in their care between 2015 and 2023. Congressional investigations also revealed instances where migrant children were placed with unvetted sponsors who allegedly exploited them.

“Not only did the Biden-Harris administration create the worst border crisis in American history — it empowered opportunistic nonprofits like Southwest Key Programs and Endeavors to profit off it,” House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) told The Post.

Southwest Key Programs, the largest NGO implicated in child trafficking in America, has multiple employees abusing children in its care. This is not a minor issue. @taraleerodas pic.twitter.com/JG8Q2L1Psi

— RyanMatta 🇺🇸 🦅 (@RyanMattaMedia) February 20, 2025

Sen. Chuck Grassley raised concerns about potential trafficking, citing whistleblower testimony about a child being placed in a house with suspected MS-13 gang members. However, the DOJ recently withdrew its civil case, and HHS announced it would cease funding the organization.

“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,” noted the public health agency.

A Southwest Key Programs spokesperson responded that they were “pleased” about the case’s dismissal and “strongly denied the claims relating to child sexual abuse in our shelters.”

The situation reflects broader challenges in migrant child placement. A DHS inspector general report from August 2024 revealed that 32,000 migrant children went missing after release, while 291,000 were placed with sponsors under reduced vetting requirements.

“This administration is working fearlessly to end the tragedy of human trafficking and other abuses of unaccompanied alien children who enter the country illegally,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said of the termination of Southwest Key Programs grants on Wednesday.