In an era where reality shows turn everyday people into overnight celebrities, could the next step be turning immigration into primetime entertainment? That’s the idea Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appears to be leaning into—and it’s sparking serious controversy.
A Game Show to Win Citizenship?
Yep, you read that right.
Secretary Noem is backing a pitch for a reality competition series called The American.
Think Survivor or The Amazing Race, but instead of winning cash or fame, contestants battle it out for U.S. citizenship.
The concept comes from Rob Worsoff, a reality TV veteran behind shows like Duck Dynasty and Millionaire Matchmaker.
In a detailed 35-page proposal, Worsoff lays out a vision where 12 immigrants travel across the U.S., competing in regional challenges—like building rockets in Florida or log-rolling in Wisconsin—all for the grand prize of becoming an American citizen.
Citizenship as Entertainment?
Contestants, already pre-vetted for eligibility, would arrive on a symbolic “Citizenship Ship” docking at Ellis Island.
They’d be greeted by a celebrity host—names floated include Sofia Vergara, Ryan Reynolds, and Mila Kunis—and gifted with personalized baseball gloves to kick off their journey.
As the show progresses, they’d crisscross the country, learning about local cultures and facing challenges steeped in Americana.
In one episode, they might dig for clams in Maine. In another, they’d race to assemble a Ford Model T in Detroit.
All of this would culminate in a live finale in Washington, D.C., where the winner would be sworn in as a U.S. citizen.
Officials Are Involved, Critics Are Concerned
According to DailyMail.com, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is more involved than you’d expect.
Officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may even help tally viewer votes.
Noem herself is said to be pushing hard for the show’s production, even seeking partnerships with platforms like Netflix.
However, DHS spokespeople claim Noem hasn’t been
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