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The Department of Homeland Security is defending its characterization of a man seeking legal residency but facing deportation.

Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said it's "completely appropriate" to publicize the sexual misdeeds levied against Jair Celis and outlined in Salt Lake County juvenile court records.

Celis' attorney rebuffs McLaughlin's characterization and says the juvenile matter isn't germane in Celis' immigration case.

SALT LAKE CITY — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security fired off a testy response Thursday in connection with the case of the man detained last week during a scheduled hearing with immigration authorities as he vies to normalize his migratory status.

Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the department, also sup

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