Well ... depending on where you are in the US, certain officials and municipalities are already doing exactly what you describe, while many would openly like to do so except that some pesky laws and constitutional rights seem to be in the way.

Let's not even get into the US's treatment of foreign nations and governments. One man's freedom fighter, another man's terrorist.

There is no "moral high ground" between the two; you're just choosing which evil you are more comfortable with.