Take an extreme example... Your child has been kidnapped and will shortly be subjected to things too awful for words.

Of course this is a bogus example because we are not talking about individual actions but about public policy. There is a big difference between what individuals do in extreme circumstances and what governments do as a matter of policy. The one is an illegal act which might be justifiable in some circumstances (Depending on your own moral compass. I am expressing no opinion on the subject here.) The other is contrary to the entire moral and ethical basis of our nation. (In my opinion anyway.)