Detention guards are being accused of sexual abuse and harassment at an immigration center for women and children in South Texas.

Lawyers with the University of Texas Law School's Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed complaints with federal immigration officials about the accusations at the Karnes City facility, which was converted from an all-male detention center on Aug. 1, Politico reported.

Attorneys allege that women were promised money or legal help in exchange for sexual favors, and were specifically removed from their cells to have sex with guards and staff.

The lawyers told the Associated Press that at least three employees have been accused and two detainees witnessed the misconduct.

The two witnesses filed complaints with the facility, but attorney Marisa Bono told AP she wasn't sure if only the private company that runs the facility -- GEO Group -- had seen it, or if federal officials had seen the complaints.

Adelina Pruneda, a spokeswoman for ICE and DHS in San Antonio, said in a statement Thursday that the departments are dedicated to ensuring a safe environment for detainees.

"ICE has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual abuse or assault and our facilities are maintained in accordance with applicable laws and policies," Pruneda told AP. "Accusations of alleged unlawful conduct are investigated thoroughly and if substantiated, appropriate action is taken."

There have been similar allegations but those cases, "were reviewed by U.S. Attorneys offices and declined for prosecution," Gillian Christensen, an ICE spokesman in Washington, D.C. told AP.

Pruneda said that the departments are "committed to ensuring all individuals in our custody are housed and treated in a safe, secure and humane manner."

The complaint was filed with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Sept. 25 and with the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday, Politico reported.

Attorneys for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Javier N. Maldonado law firm filed the complaints Tuesday, AP reported.