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Salvadoran immigrant Cecilia Ramos lives in Los Angeles on protected status. Ramos will have until Sept. 9, 2019, to arrange a return or apply for alternative legal means of staying in the U.S. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

JAN 08, 2018 | 5:20 AM

“For years, El Salvador has been racked by brutal gang violence, including from the MS-13 gang that has gained a significant presence in the U.S. But Kirstjen Nielsen, Homeland Security secretary, decided that under the law she could only consider the original conditions that led to the granting of temporary status — the damage from the earthquakes 17 years ago.

‘Since then, anything else doesn’t really apply, including violence on the ground,’ the official who briefed reporters said.

Advocates for the immigrants immediately protested, calling the decision needlessly cruel and a blow to the economies of both El Salvador and the U.S.”

Click here to read the full article published by the Los Angeles Times.