The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that it is reviewing an unusual reality TV show idea where immigrants would compete in various challenges across the country to earn a fast-track to U.S. citizenship. Though still in early stages, the concept has already drawn public attention and mixed reactions.
What Is the Show About?
According to reports, Rob Worsoff, a TV producer known for the hit show Duck Dynasty, came up with the idea for the reality show. Titled “The American”, the show would feature immigrants traveling across the U.S. on a train, participating in different tasks like digging clams in Maine or rafting in Colorado.
Celebrity hosts, who are also immigrants, would guide the participants through the journey. Worsoff said the goal is to celebrate the immigration process and highlight what it means to become American — not to humiliate or punish the contestants.
DHS Response: It’s Too Early
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin made it clear that the project is still at the very beginning of the vetting process. She explained that the department receives hundreds of pitches every year from producers wanting to create TV content related to immigration, border agents, and national security.
She also clarified that Secretary Kristi Noem, who leads DHS under the Trump administration, has not seen or approved this proposal. The department follows a strict process before making any decision about such programs.
It’s Not ‘Hunger Games’ for Immigrants, Says Producer
Rob Worsoff, a Canadian immigrant, said the show is not meant to be cruel or a way to reject people. He told The Wall Street Journal that “This isn’t ‘The Hunger Games’ for immigrants.” He added, “It’s not like if someone loses, they’re thrown out of the country.”
He also shared that he had pitched the idea during the Obama administration, but it did not move forward back then. He believes the show would spark a national conversation about what it means to be American, seen through the eyes of people who genuinely want to become citizens.
New Media Strategy Under Trump Administration
The Trump administration has taken a more direct approach to media and messaging related to immigration. Secretary Noem recently filmed a video from a prison in El Salvador, warning migrants not to come to the U.S. The DHS also spent $200 million on an ad campaign thanking President Trump for his efforts at the border.
This change in tone and tactics shows a clear difference in how the Trump-era DHS handles immigration messaging compared to previous administrations.