Contestants would engage in challenges such as gold mining in California and making cars in Detroit
The US Department of Homeland Security is considering being part of a reality TV show in which migrants compete against each other for American citizenship, the agency’s assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, has said.
In each episode, contestants would take part in American-themed challenges such as digging for gold in California and assembling a car at a plant in Detroit, according to the pitch, which has been seen by a number of outlets. It would reportedly conclude with a town hall meeting and a final vote to select the winner.
The idea for the series, which has the working title ‘The American’, comes from Rob Worsoff, the producer behind reality shows such as ‘The Millionaire Matchmaker’, ‘Duck Dynasty’, and ‘The Biggest Loser’.
The Daily Mail, which was one of the first outlets to report on the development on Thursday, claimed that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has been pushing for the series to be made.
McLaughlin denied the report in a post on X on Friday, calling it “false” and “an affront to journalism.” Noem is not “even aware” of the reality TV show pitch, she insisted.
The DHS receives hundreds of TV show proposals every year and each of them “undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval,” the assistant secretary said. The pitch for ‘The American’ “has not received approval or denial by staff,” she added.
The pitch reportedly says: “contestants will represent a wide demographic of ages, ethnicities, and talents. We will join in the laughter, tears, frustration and joy – hearing their backstories – as we are reminded of how amazing it is to be American, through the eyes of 12 wonderful people, who want nothing more than to have what we have – and what we often take for granted: the freedom, opportunity and honor of what it means to be American.”
Worsoff, who immigrated to the US from Canada, told the Wall Street Journal on Friday that none of the losers in the show would be penalized or face deportation. “This is not ‘The Hunger Games’ for immigrants,” he said.
In an interview with CNN, Worsoff noted that he first pitched the idea for the series to the DHS during the administration of US President Barack Obama. He added that he recently held three meetings with DHS officials regarding the show. “I feel like we are trending in a good way,” he said.
