The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reviewing a reality television proposal in which immigrants would compete in challenges for a fast-tracked path to American citizenship. The show, tentatively titled The American, has been pitched by veteran reality TV producer Rob Worsoff, whose credits include Duck Dynasty, Dating Naked, and The Millionaire Matchmaker. DHS officials confirmed the proposal is in the early stages of its vetting process and has not yet received approval or denial.
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“The Department of Homeland Security receives hundreds of television show pitches a year,” said Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. “Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval.” McLaughlin noted that DHS is open to “out-of-the-box pitches” that could promote patriotism and civic engagement.
Challenges, Elimination, Citizenship
According to a 36-page pitch deck reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The American would follow a competition format with one-hour episodes. Contestants—volunteering immigrants—would arrive at Ellis Island, a symbolic entry point for many past immigrants, and face elimination-style rounds after a series of physical and mental challenges.
Challenges would be tailored to reflect American heritage. Examples include a Gold Rush-inspired contest to retrieve precious metals from a mine in California or assembling a Model T chassis in Detroit. Worsoff stated these challenges are designed to be symbolic rather than punitive. “This is not, ‘Hey, if you lose, we are shipping you out on a boat out of the country,’” Worsoff told The Wall Street Journal. “This isn’t The Hunger Games for immigrants.”
Producer’s Vision: ‘Celebrate and Humanize’
Worsoff, a Canadian-American immigrant himself, has described the project as a “celebration of what it means to be American” during a time of low national morale. On his Facebook page, he called the show “a heartfelt series with tears of joy and fun loud American challenges.”
Speaking to the media, Worsoff said the goal was to humanize and celebrate the immigrant experience, not to demean it. “I think this show is going to celebrate and humanize the people in that journey to actually get to know the real people behind it,” he said. “We’re going to cheer for them and we’re going to love them.”
He claimed to have pitched the show to multiple administrations, including those of Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden, but said it had always been a matter of timing. “It was never a flat-out no from any admin,” he wrote.
Criticism and Legal Questions
Despite Worsoff’s intentions, the proposed show has sparked widespread ethical and legal concerns. Immigration attorney Eric Lee stated, “The idea that the Department of Homeland Security could set up some show with some media company to make money off of the plight of these people has absolutely no basis in law whatsoever.” While DHS denied reports that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was actively pushing the show, McLaughlin confirmed the project had entered its initial review phase.
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The proposal comes amid ongoing immigration policy shifts. Under former President Donald Trump, DHS took steps to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for several immigrant groups, including nationals from Haiti, Venezuela, and Afghanistan. The department also spent millions on media campaigns telling undocumented immigrants to leave the U.S.