The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is evaluating an unprecedented television proposal: a reality show in which immigrants would compete in challenges inspired by the country’s history and culture, with the goal of winning U.S. citizenship.

The project, called The American, has generated a wave of criticism and ethical debates, while facing conflicting positions within the government itself.

A reality TV proposal that turns immigration into entertainment

According to an exclusive report by the British newspaper Daily Mail, the proposal comes from Canadian producer Rob Worsoff, known for his work on Duck Dynasty and Millionaire Matchmaker.

Worsoff designed a format that would pit twelve immigrants against each other in cultural and skills challenges across the United States, culminating in a swearing-in ceremony in front of the Capitol for the winner.

“Along the way, we will remember what it means to be American, through the eyes of those who desire it the most,” Worsoff states in his program presentation.

The producer, born in Canada, asserts that his goal is not political: “As an immigrant, I am simply trying to create a program that celebrates the immigration process, what it means to be American, and to generate a national debate.”

The format: Tests, challenges, and a great patriotic final

The participants, having been previously screened, would arrive at Ellis Island aboard the symbolic Citizen Ship, where they would be welcomed by a famous host, who was also a naturalized immigrant.

Among the names being considered are Sofía Vergara, Ryan Reynolds, and Mila Kunis, although a spokesperson told The Washington Post that Reynolds was never consulted about the program.

During the series, the contestants would travel across the country on a train called The American and compete in challenges such as:

-Log rolling in Wisconsin.

-Extracting gold in San Francisco.

-Launching rockets at Cape Canaveral.

Assemble a Ford Model T in Detroit.

-Deliver mail by horseback between Missouri and Kansas.

Additionally, there would be “elimination challenges,” public assemblies, and votes.

The prize for the winner: U.S. citizenship, one million miles from American Airlines, a $10,000 Starbucks gift card, or free gas for life.

“We will join in the laughter, tears, frustration, and joy, listening to their stories, while we remember how wonderful it is to be American,” emphasizes the proposal obtained by Daily Mail.

Official support or media manipulation?

Although the main spokesperson for the DHS, Tricia McLaughlin, stated that the proposal is under review and that Secretary Kristi Noem has not yet been informed, Daily Mail claims to have confirmed that Noem supports the project and is actively seeking platforms like Netflix or cable channels to air the program.

“I think it’s a good idea,” McLaughlin stated to the British media.

However, in statements to EFE, McLaughlin denied any official support: “This is completely false […] Noem has neither supported nor is aware of the proposal for any fiction or reality TV program.”

It was also clarified that the DHS receives “hundreds of television proposals each year,” and that all undergo “a rigorous selection process.”

For the moment, Worsoff’s project “has received neither approval nor rejection,” he said.

Internal criticisms and ethical concerns

The potential transformation of the immigration process into a television spectacle has sparked strong reactions.

“When will Secretary Noem stop prioritizing staged photo sessions and media stunts?” asked an internal source to the Daily Mail.

Some officials believe that “the focus on self-promotion is undermining DHS’s ability to fulfill President Trump’s deportation mandate.”

Even within the DHS, there are fears that the reality show could trivialize the immigrant experience: “The difficult situation of immigrants cannot be turned into a competition,” an anonymous source told the British media.

The Washington Post also reported on these concerns, quoting officials who fear a narrative similar to “The Hunger Games.”

In defense of the format, Worsoff stated to the Wall Street Journal: “This is not ‘The Hunger Games’ for immigrants. This is not: ‘If you lose, we’ll send you away on a boat.’”

Kristi Noem’s media history under scrutiny

Kristi Noem, 53, has already faced criticism on multiple occasions for treating her position as a platform for personal branding.

The Wall Street Journal published a report accusing her of exaggerating her activities as the head of the DHS, including photoshoots with a weapon, social media posts during ongoing operations, and even decorating the offices with images of herself in “action” situations.

On one occasion, he tweeted from a raid before dawn, which, according to sources, alerted the targets and reduced the expected number of arrests.

“Live this morning from New York. I’m on it,” he wrote at 4:43 a.m., attaching a photo wearing an ICE cap.

Political context: The Trump era and immigration policies

The proposal arises amidst the intensification of President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, who has promised a mass deportation of undocumented immigrants. The reality show comes at a time when his administration is seeking to impose restrictions such as eliminating birthright citizenship.

According to The New York Times, these types of proposals align with a renewed nationalist push and attempts to “revitalize patriotism and civic duty,” in McLaughlin’s words.

Nevertheless, critics argue that these measures prioritize spectacle over tangible results.

The American, still in the review stage, serves as a showcase of the “American dream,” but also as a mirror reflecting the ethical and political tensions surrounding immigration in the United States.

Patriotic celebration or trivialization of a human struggle? As the proposal seeks the green light, the country debates whether turning the path to citizenship into a television spectacle is a tribute or a humiliation.

Frequently Asked Questions about the reality show “The American” and its migratory context