This, in my estimation, is part of American exceptionalism. Like the U.S. Marines and the New York Yankees, classy operations aspire to higher standards of excellence.

The question of whether or not America is legally obliged to show this kind of compassion is irrelevant. Nations, like individuals, answer to a higher calling and should go beyond meeting the bare minimum of what is required by law.

I’m tired of hearing people say things like, “You know what Mexico does if they catch you sneaking into their country?” To which, I answer: “Do you want to emulate that kind of behavior?” The fact that other nations are less humane — less generous — is irrelevant. More is expected of America — and that’s a good thing. Rather than sink to the moral mediocrity of other nations, let’s go for something greater. Let’s hold ourselves to a higher bar. This should be a point of pride.