The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering participating in a reality TV present during which immigrants would compete for American citizenship, the division confirmed on Friday (May 16, 2025).
Asked concerning the reported thought, DHS responded with an announcement that stated 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 out-of-the-box pitches,” Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin stated within the assertion.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the proposed present — which was pitched by a Canadian American named Rob Worsoff — would see contestants face off to show they’re probably 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 film about youngsters pressured to kill one another 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 stated.
The Journal reviewed a 36-page slide deck from Worsoff’s group concerning the proposed program, which might see contestants compete in one-hour episodes.
This might embody a gold rush competition to see who can retrieve probably the most treasured metallic from a mine, or one during which contestants would work in groups to assemble the chassis of a Model T automobile, in keeping with the newspaper.
The present would begin with an arrival at Ellis Island — the standard entrance level for immigrants to the United States — and would see one contestant eradicated per episode.
The information comes as former reality present star President Donald Trump’s administration has moved to finish momentary protected standing (TPS) for numerous teams of immigrants it had shielded them from deportation.
Federal legislation permits the federal government to grant TPS to overseas residents who can’t safely return dwelling due to battle, pure disasters or different “extraordinary” situations.
Since taking workplace, Trump has sought to strip TPS protections from residents of nations together with Afghanistan, Haiti and Venezuela as a part of his broader crackdown on immigration.
That crackdown — led by DHS — has included immigration raids, arrests and deportations.
Published – May 17, 2025 02:11 pm IST
