A Department of Justice contractor has settled a retaliation claim

Houston (AP) – The U.S. Department of Justice says a Texas-based organization that runs facilities to hold immigrant children has settled a retaliation claim from an ex-employee. The Justice Department said in a news release that Southwest Key Programs will pay $68,000 to the employee. The department hasn’t named the former employee. DOJ alleges he applied for several jobs at Southwest Key but was denied because he said he would file a discrimination claim against the organization. DOJ says those allegations would have violated federal anti-discrimination law if proven. Southwest Key facilities house immigrant children under the authority of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.