Reality show for US citizenship? What we know so far—and what DHS is saying

Time of India

24-05-2025

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reviewing a contentious plan for a reality television program called The American, in which immigrants would compete for US citizenship.
The idea, put out by producer Rob Worsoff, who was born in Canada and is well-known for his work on Duck Dynasty, has sparked a nationwide discussion about the morality of making the naturalisation process into a form of entertainment.
The show's concept
In Worsoff's ideal competition, twelve immigrant competitors would journey throughout the United States aboard a train called "The American." Participants would take part in activities intended to assess their understanding of American history, culture, and values at each location.
Some who oppose the practice argue that gamifying the immigration process trivialises the challenges faced by newcomers and transforms a serious legal process into a joke.
The show has drawn analogies to dystopian novels like The Hunger Games, raising concerns that it may exploit contestants and their experiences to boost viewership. The series would conclude with the winner being granted U.S. citizenship in a ceremony at the Capitol.
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DHS response and clarification
DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin, confirmed that the department receives numerous television show pitches annually and that The American is currently in the early stages of the vetting process. She emphasized that no final decision has been made regarding the show's approval. Contrary to some reports, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has not endorsed the project and was reportedly unaware of the proposal until media coverage surfaced .
Public and political reactions
The public, political analysts, and immigrant support organisations have all strongly criticised the initiative. According to critics, gamifying the immigration process trivialises the challenges faced by newcomers and transforms a serious legal process into a kind of entertainment. Concerns have been raised that the program might exploit competitors and their stories to boost viewership, evoking analogies to dystopian novels such as The Hunger Games.
Backlash on social media networks has increased, with many users expressing displeasure at the idea.
Worsoff defends the show as a celebration of American values and an opportunity to highlight the diverse journeys of immigrants. He asserts that the program aims to inspire patriotism and civic engagement among viewers. However, he also acknowledged that similar pitches were previously rejected by the Obama and Biden administrations, suggesting that the current political climate under the Trump administration might be more receptive.
Ethical considerations
Significant ethical concerns are brought up by the notion of granting citizenship through a competitive reality show. The fairness and integrity of such a process have been questioned by ethicists and legal professionals. There are concerns that the initiative might reduce the seriousness of immigration regulations, and provide a precedent for the selling of citizenship. Since they may be the subject of public scrutiny and judgement based more on entertainment value than quality, participants' dignity and wellbeing might also be in jeopardy.
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The controversy highlights the subtleties of the naturalisation process and the complexity of immigration reform as DHS continues to review the plan for The American. The controversy the show has generated underscores the need for careful consideration of the best ways to integrate and honour people aspiring to US citizenship, even though the show's future is still uncertain.
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