A large number of U.S. State Department workers have expressed concern about President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration. The Foreign Service officers and civil service employees added their names to a memo critical of the immigration order. State Department officials confirmed that the document was presented to the department’s leadership through what they call the Dissent Channel. The channel is a way for U.S. diplomatic workers to offer their personal opinions about foreign policy issues. Last week, President Trump signed an order banning entry to refugees and people from seven Muslim-majority countries. VOA reporters have read an early version of the State Department memo. It says the signers are worried that the order will not achieve its goal “to protect the American people from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals admitted to the United States.” The memo warns that the action will immediately hurt relations with allies in the fight against terrorism. It suggests other possible steps, including improving visa and immigration screening.

What does dissent mean?
to achieve a goal
to follow orders
to offer an opinion
to publicly disagree
What does the dissent channel allow workers to do?
leave early
publicly agree
travel home
offer opinions
The action will hurt relations with allies.
delay
improve
help
hurt