1. wow, not much information or sources provided here, just your subjective overview of an issue. Mind dropping some sources? Article presented is actually very well sourced, albeit a bit narrow in its focus. Author has written multiple articles on it.
2."Of the approximately 5,000 individuals apprehended by USBP with confirmed or suspected gang affiliations since FY 2012, 159 were UACs (unaccompanied alien children). Of those 159, approximately 56 UACs were suspected or confirmed to be affiliated with MS-13" (
link) Yes very well documentation on MS-13 insertion into the US. Would say there are bigger players in this area, likely based out of Mexico or Columbia and not a US/El Salvador gang. Since 2012 a little over 200 homicides were attributed to MS-13 of the 76,000 that occurred in the US during that time (effectively 0.002% of homicides).
3.Description of an event where the author encounters an accused mass-murderer in court and her shock at learning how young and baby-faced he appears doesn't slant opinions, it indicates that MS-13 is generally comprised of young impressionable latino men from immigrant backgrounds/UAC backgrounds, which it is. The rest of your point is irrelevant because you're making suggestions about this specific individual's criminal behaviour without providing any context or reference point and attempting to draw a line between his criminal behaviour in Long Island to MS-13's wider criminal activities.
4.When speaking about Trump inventing stigmas, he has certainly done a pretty good job of misrepresenting the group's activities (along with mostly everyone who's ever opposed his views). While I agree with you that gangs of all stripes will utilize negative coverage to enhance their criminal personas, Trump certainly hasn't been accurate in describing the group's activities, and has been manipulating the general public's understanding of the issue to suit his political agenda by blowing up the threat of MS-13. It's a useful trope for him to utilize because there have been high profile murders attributed to this group and fear and hysteria are good ways to get people over to your side, whereas other high profile murders associated with other gangs have simply not been publicized and everything on the DHS, CBP and ICE websites indicate that MS-13 is the only gang they're looking at. Trump said:""They killed a cop for the sake of making a statement. They wanted to make a statement, so they killed a cop." Whereas a bit of sleuthing indicates that members of local police force where this alleged act occurred stated: "MS-13 threatened to kill a cop, but it has not happened." Which is a whole different kind of reality, no?