US May Launch Reality Show Where Immigrants Compete for Citizenship
A reality show titled The American, where immigrants compete in patriotic challenges for U.S. citizenship, is under consideration by the Department of Homeland Security, officials confirmed.
The U.S. government is exploring a controversial new concept for a reality TV show where immigrants would undertake challenges rooted in American history, culture, and traditions—with U.S. citizenship as the grand prize.
Titled The American, the show has been pitched by Canadian-born reality TV producer Rob Worsoff, best known for Duck Dynasty and The Millionaire Matchmaker. The Homeland Security Department, currently reviewing the idea, said such proposals align with efforts to “revive civic duty” and “celebrate American identity.”
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the proposal is being reviewed by Secretary Kristi Noem. “If it materialises, it would be a celebration of being an American,” she told The New York Times, calling the format “creative” and “non-punitive.”
Worsoff insists the show is meant to highlight the immigrant journey, not mock it. “It’s not mean-spirited,” he posted on Facebook. “The American is a celebration of what it means to be American—at a time when our morale is at an all-time low.”
The concept outlines immigrant contestants living together and undertaking region-specific challenges—from collecting gold in San Francisco to assembling a Model T in Detroit. Other tasks may include building rockets, delivering mail by horseback, or answering U.S. civics trivia.
Worsoff clarified that contestants who do not win should not face penalties. “Everyone will be humanised. Viewers will know their stories, their faces—and maybe they’ll even get a job out of it,” he told CNN.
The idea comes amid renewed immigration crackdowns under former President Donald Trump’s second term. Over 271,000 deportations have taken place—marking a decade-high. A new self-deportation scheme offering flight tickets and $1,000 to undocumented migrants was launched earlier this month.
Despite the hardline stance, Trump recently remarked that “good people” could still apply to enter legally, hinting at a complex immigration message that mixes deterrence with controlled inclusivity.
The Trump administration is not new to combining media with enforcement. In 2017, the government granted access to ICE operations for the docuseries Immigration Nation. Worsoff’s pitch, however, pushes the boundary by directly linking entertainment to legal status.
There is no official timeline for The American, and it remains in the conceptual stage. Still, its polarising premise has already sparked debate across policy and pop culture circles.
