The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reviewing a pitch for a controversial new reality show in which immigrants would compete for American citizenship through a series of televised challenges.
The show was proposed by Rob Worsoff, a Canadian-born producer best known for his work on A&E’s Duck Dynasty. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the pitch outlines an “Ellis Island-style” competition where contestants participate in patriotic challenges, such as mining for gold or assembling a Model T chassis, to prove their worthiness of becoming American citizens.
Each episode would reportedly feature one contestant being eliminated until a final winner emerges to receive citizenship. Despite the dystopian comparisons, Worsoff insisted: “This isn’t The Hunger Games for immigrants. This is not, ‘Hey, if you lose, we are shipping you out on a boat out of the country.’”
The 36-page proposal, which DHS confirms is under review but not yet approved or rejected, has stirred public debate and raised ethical concerns about the gamification of immigration.
In a statement, Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, said:
“We need to revive patriotism and civic duty in this country, and we're happy to review out-of-the-box pitches.”
While the concept remains a proposal, it emerges against the backdrop of ongoing immigration crackdowns under the Trump-era policies, including the rollback of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from countries like Afghanistan, Haiti, and Venezuela. These moves, led by DHS, have included mass deportations and heightened immigration raids.
The proposal has yet to be reviewed by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, officials confirmed.
Critics have already begun questioning the moral implications of turning citizenship into a televised contest, especially amid ongoing policy decisions that affect real lives and families.
