Topical Opinion: Cruelty on display as ICE deports a devoted St. Louis father Ray Hartmann Feb 6, 2026 Feb 6, 2026 0 Janie and Alejandro Perez, and daughters Lexie, 1, and Luna, 3. Family photo SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Ray Hartmann Forty pounds of marinated pork sits in Janie Perez’s freezer.kAmw6C 9FD32?5[ p=6;2?5C@[ H2D DFAA@D65 E@ 4@@< :E @? ~4E] ab 7@C 2 >6?’D 5:??6C 2E r@G6?2?E !C6D3JE6C:2? r9FC49 — E96 49FC49 y2?:6 92D 2EE6?565 D:?46 D96 H2D a] p=6;2?5C@ :D 2 AC@76DD:@?2= 4967 H9@’5 366? =@@<:?8 7@CH2C5 E@ AC6A2C:?8 2? 2= A2DE@C E24@ 762DE 7@C H66<D]k^AmkAmx?DE625[ &]$] x>>:8C2E:@? 2?5 rFDE@>D t?7@C46>6?E D?2E4965 9:> 2E eid_ 2]>] @? 9:D H2J E@ H@C< E92E 52J]k^AmkAmp=6;2?5C@ !6C6K 92D ?@ 4C:>:?2= C64@C5] w6 925 2 $@4:2= $64FC:EJ ?F>36C 2?5 2 G2=:5 H@C< A6C>:E] w6 2?5 9:D H:76 WH9@ 42? EC246 96C 72>:=J’D p>6C:42? C@@ED 324< E@ E96 `e__DX H6C6 C2:D:?8 E96:C EH@ J@F?8 52F89E6CD :? $E] {@F:D] p7E6C J62CD @7 ?2G:82E:?8 p>6C:42’D 3JK2?E:?6 :>>:8C2E:@? DJDE6> :? 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A longer version of this column was published on Substack: . 0 Comments Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Most Popular Editorial: Another reason to oppose scuttling Missouri's income tax Business leaders join other critics warning of fiscal risk in nixing income tax Editorial: City suit rightly challenges mandate that tramples voters, threatens budget City suit rightly challenges mandate that tramples voters, threatens budget Editorial: In a win for education, culture war candidates lose for the 3rd straight year In a win for education, culture war candidates lose for the 3rd straight year Editorial: When ICE comes for middle schoolers Editorial: Are these students the “bad hombres†President Donald Trump is always talking about? Obviously not.
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