US considering reality TV competition for citizenship
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering taking part in a reality TV show in which immigrants would compete for American citizenship, the department confirmed on Friday.
Asked about the reported idea, DHS responded with a statement that said the pitch 'has not received approval or rejection by staff,' and that 'each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval.'
'We need to revive patriotism and civic duty in this country, and we're happy to review outof-the-box pitches,' Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in the statement.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the proposed show -- which was pitched by a Canadian American named Rob Worsoff -- would see contestants face off to prove they are the most American.
'This isn't 'The Hunger Games' for immigrants,' the newspaper quoted Worsoff as saying -- a reference to a dystopian novel and subsequent movie about children forced to kill each other in a televised competition for survival.
'This is not, 'Hey, if you lose, we are shipping you out on a boat out of the country,'' he said. The Journal reviewed a 36- page slide deck from Worsoff's team about the proposed program, which would see contestants compete in one-hour episodes.
This could include a gold rush competition to see who can retrieve the most precious metal from a mine, or one in which contestants would work in teams to assemble the chassis of a Model T car, according to the newspaper.
The show would start with an arrival at Ellis Island -- the traditional entrance point for immigrants to the United States -- and would see one contestant eliminated per episode.
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