DHS Is Considering A Reality Show Where Immigrants Compete For Citizenship

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Fri May 16, 2025, 11:07 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Huff Post

May 15, 2025, 10:19 PM EDT


The Department of Homeland Security is mulling over a reality television show in which immigrants would compete for U.S. citizenship.

The Daily Mail reported on Thursday that Rob Worsoff, a Canadian-born writer, producer and director, pitched the show, titled "The American," and that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is a fan of the concept.

DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told HuffPost on Thursday that the show is in the "very beginning stages" of the department's vetting process and has not been approved or denied. However, McLaughlin said it was "completely false" that Noem had any knowledge of or involvement in the show.

"Secretary Noem has not 'backed' or even reviewed the pitch of any scripted or reality show. The Department of Homeland Security receives hundreds of television show pitches a year, ranging from documentaries surrounding ICE and CBP border operation to white collar investigations by HSI," McLaughlin said in a statement. "Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval." Worsoff has worked on a variety of reality shows, including "Duck Dynasty," "The Millionaire Matchmaker" and "Dating Naked."

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dhs-reality-show-immigrants-compete-citizenship_n_68268359e4b01633824dfa18

---

[Lovie777]

1. Trap.....

for POC.

[Scrivener7]

2. That is some Stephen King shit right there. Anyone remember "The Running Man?"

Weirdly, that story took place in 2025.

[Lemon Lyman]

5. Yup

I've been thinking about this for a while now. You just now that shitler is going to float the idea of "The Running Man" during one of his stupid ramblings. I'd put $$ down on it coming up sometime.

[murielm99]

24. Yes. I read the story,

then watched the movie. Classic stuff.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Classic Ahh-nawd!

(and classic Richard Dawson )

[mdbl]

15. Just noticed you beat me to it

[BumRushDaShow]

20. Ha!

I never saw it in the theaters but I know I saw it - probably on HBO when it became available.

[mdbl]

39. Actually, you can watch it on demand for free at Pluto.tv.

With some commercials but the nice thing about pluto is it doesn't cut the movie scenes for them.

[BumRushDaShow]

42. Apparently it's available on

Apple TV and Prime (both of which I have) if I wanted to rewatch it. I have so many things on my damn watch list...

[Aristus]

25. A remake of the movie, much closer to the narrative of the novel, is going to be released this fall.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Running_Man_(2025_film)

[sheshe2]

34. Never read that one.

I first thought of The Long Walk by King:

Against the wishes of his mother, sixteen-year-old Ray Garraty is about to compete in the annual grueling match of stamina and wits known as the Long Walk. One hundred boys must keep a steady pace of four miles per hour without ever stopping...with the winner being awarded “The Prize”—anything he wants for the rest of his life. But, as part of this national tournament that sweeps through a dystopian America year after year, there are some harsh rules that Garraty and ninety-nine others must adhere to in order to beat out the rest. There is no finish line—the winner is the last man standing. Contestants cannot receive any outside aid whatsoever. Slow down under the speed limit and you’re given a warning. Three warnings and you’re out of the game—permanently...

.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-long-walk-stephen-king/1100623173

[slightlv]

51. Running Man is exactly where my mind went in a flash instant!

I don't have the words to express how disgusting an idea this is to me. Horrifying.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Reminiscent to me of

the "literacy tests" administered to African-American voters in the South.

Whatever criteria proposed for immigrants to compete, I'd like to see if any "homegrown" MAGAt could be successful first.

[Danascot]

4. And the losers

win an all expenses paid trip to El Salvador!

[Paladin]

66. That was one of my first thoughts about this disgusting possibility.

Would we get to see the losers, hauled off to third-world shithole prisons? Honest to God, nothing would surprise me anymore...

[Chasstev365]

6. The Hunger Games is one step away

I hope Hispanics who voted for Trump realize what MAGA really thinks of them.

[harun]

18. Still surprised no one brings it up in the GOP Primaries. Their base would eat that up.

[underpants]

53. Or Squid Game.

I’ve never seen Squid Game though.

AI

“Squid Game" is a survival thriller series on Netflix where 456 desperate, cash-strapped individuals are invited to participate in a life-or-death competition. They play a series of children's games with extremely high stakes, competing for a large cash prize. The games, inspired by Korean childhood games, are deadly, with losers eliminated through violence, highlighting themes of desperation, social inequality, and the lengths people will go to for financial gain

[C_U_L8R]

8. They'll game show everything

[3825-87867]

9. Julius Fucik - Entrance of the Gladiators

What next? Gladiatorial Combat with the winner gets deported instead of death? And the fetid orange one sitting on his throne deciding with a thumbs up or down? Throngs of maggots cheering?
Maybe NBC can franchise it for 16 weeks. They already know the guy who can produce it...again.

[Ferrets are Cool]

30. He already floated thus idea during his

Run up to the election.

[FailureToCommunicate]

41. Ugh.

[doc03]

10. It could be something like the Squid Game nt

[Ray Bruns]

11. We have reached peak white trash in our government.

[LittleGirl]

45. That's it isn't it? Such a perfect description. Thanks. nt

[Kid Berwyn]

12. First Winners

The NAZIs from South Africa, come on up!

[stillcool]

13. this story makes me want to hide under my bed

I was so hoping it was the Onion, or Borowitz

According to the Daily Mail, which reviewed Worsoff's 35-page program proposal, the Canadian-born producer hopes to spark a nationwide dialogue on American identity by showcasing the perspectives of those who aspire to become citizens. Worsoff is most recognized for his role as a producer on the A&E reality show Duck Dynasty.
--------------------------------
The show reportedly opens with 12 pre-selected contestants arriving at Ellis Island aboard "The Citizen Ship," greeted by a celebrity host—ideally a naturalized American like Sofia Vergara or Ryan Reynolds—and a personalized baseball glove. Contestants then travel the country by train, competing in region-themed challenges, from log balancing in Wisconsin to rocket building in Cape Canaveral. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials may be involved in vote tallying.

As the competition advances, eliminated contestants would receive over-the-top "American" consolation prizes—like a million airline miles, a $10,000 Starbucks card, or free gas for life—though no brands are officially linked to the project. Worsoff claims the show has major commercial appeal and strong potential for corporate sponsorship, according to the Daily Mail


https://www.newsweek.com/dhs-reality-tv-show-migrants-compete-citizenship-2073094

[BumRushDaShow]

17. I had seen the Newsweek one first before finding it on Huff Post

The Independent also has it (they are all referencing the story from the same (tabloid) outlet) -

Kristi Noem’s DHS considering U.S. citizenship reality show, amid criticism of ‘made-for-TV’ style

Oliver O'Connell in New York Friday 16 May 2025 05:18 BST


President Donald Trump famously rehabilitated his image from being known as a businessman with a string of bankrupt projects behind him to that of a hard-to-impress tycoon through the medium of reality TV, playing up myths of untold wealth weekly to viewers of The Apprentice on NBC.

Now, one U.S. government department is considering a new venture that could well appeal to his nostalgia for those days atop the TV ratings when he was lauded for his primetime success by a media industry he now largely despises.

The Daily Mail reports that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is “backing” an outlandish proposal to have immigrants pitted against each other to compete for U.S. citizenship on air in a reality show called The American. Noem’s department has strongly denied the report as “completely false,” saying that she has not backed the show and is not even aware of the pitch, but acknowledges that it exists.

Social media users are already referring to the idea as “grotesque,” a version of The Hunger Games, or reminiscent of the 1987 dystopian movie The Running Man, in which people compete for freedom by participating in a state-controlled game show. From the mind of Canadian-born writer and producer Rob Worsoff, immigrants would compete in a series of challenges across the country “for the honor of fast-tracking their way to U.S. citizenship,”

(snip)

[stillcool]

21. I looked for the link from your post

but it linked back to DU, which sent me on my search to find the Onion.

[BumRushDaShow]

43. LOL and thanks!

That's what happens when I'm trying to do MIRT at the same time (fixed)!

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dhs-reality-show-immigrants-compete-citizenship_n_68268359e4b01633824dfa18

[mdbl]

14. How dystopian

maybe they can evolve it into "The Running Man"

[moniss]

16. I can easily see the hand of a

sub-human like Stephen Miller behind this.

[HereForTheParty]

72. Or Donald Trump

Keeping in mind that reality shows are a thing with him.

[gypsy11]

19. I'm sorry, but this is disgusting

These people are disgusting. Every single day there’s a new assault on human decency. Anyone that thinks a real life hunger games scenario is OK doesn’t belong anywhere NEAR any kind of power. And the TV producers pitching this… also monsters. JFC. Monsters. They’re real life monsters. Life is not a fucking TV show.

[LittleGirl]

47. Exactly! and Welcome to DU. nt

[gypsy11]

68. Thanks

I’ve been here since 2001- mostly as a lurker.

[azureblue]

22. How about a show

Where Republicans attempt to pass a combined US citizenship, and Constitutional Law test? The prize is, you get to keep your seat.
Face it - immigrants must pas a US citizenship to become citizens. Republicans can't. Immigrants want to pass the test, GOPers couldn't care less.

So, just for fun, here is the link to a practice test. Let's post this link on Gopers' websites, and ask them if they can pass it?

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/OoC_100_Questions_2008_Civics_Test_V1.pdf

[Hekate]

23. That is one of the sickest ideas I've ever heard in my life

[travelingthrulife]

26. These people are all insane.

[William Seger]

27. The cult's favorite part of the show, of course, will be showing what happens to the losers

[nwduke]

28. This is absolutely

DISGUSTING!

[Ferrets are Cool]

29. Asswipe treats thus entire presidency like a reality show.

[twodogsbarking]

31. But yet he lives in a fantasy world.

[travelingthrulife]

32. Noem already blew her budget, now she wants a plane and a reality tv show.

[3catwoman3]

33. Will it be held in the Coliseum...

…and will there be lions?

Jesus H. Christ. What a despicable idea.

[Oopsie Daisy]

35. Disgusting!

[Bengus81]

36. Can't have a show without advertisers. BOYCOTT the living SHIT out of all of them

I know I will.............

[Aviation Pro]

37. How about a reality TV show where a bloated-lipped dog murderer

Gets hunted down by a ravenous pack of Cane Corsos?

Ratings bonanza and I'd even buy the PPV for that.

[orleans]

38. how ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!

stooping as low as they can go
making people's lives and suffering an entertainment ploy
just fucking disgraceful
they are all fucking out of their zero i.q., covid ridden heads

[IbogaProject]

40. Donald Trump's The Immigrant on Fox Network

With the catch phrase "you're deported". What insanity.

[republianmushroom]

44. More like who can buy trumps gold card.

[Marcuse]

46. Commodus himself will compete in the arena after drugging his opponent

[sheshe2]

56. Commodus 🤣

[malthaussen]

48. The logical, probably inevitable, consequence of performance politics.

Anybody who thinks politics is about substance these days needs to pay better attention.

-- Mal

[hadEnuf]

49. And a minstrel show at half-time....

This is out of a dystopian nightmare movie plot.

Parade people around who are looking for freedom after they have escaped oppression and violence just to have them do ridiculous acts to be able to stay in America? Maybe they can see how many pies in the face they can take first?
Who the fuck is in charge of this country? Caligula?

I hope this story is inaccurate, because if any government official is even considering this madness, then we need some constitutional remedies ASAP.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

50. Heartstoppingly VILE.

[keroro gunsou]

52. Four words....

WHISKY TANGO ALPHA FOXTROT?!?!


this is what we get when a clown is put in charge, and those that did put him in charge do not get to act suprised when the circus comes to town....

[tornado34jh]

54. I used to watch reality shows back in the day, it's semi-reality at best

Most of what occurs in these shows aren't what actually would occur in real life, and again, it's for fame and money. But at this point, it's all a sham.

[North Coast Lawyer]

55. Getting Trolled?

Thinking DHS might be getting trolled by this Canadian writer. Nothing Canadians love more than satirizing/mocking Americans. Many Canadian actors have made their mark playing over the top versions of Americans (e.g. William Shatner, John Candy, and Jim Carrey).

[Mz Pip]

67. That's what I thought, too

It’s so outrageous it’s hard to believe it’s not some high level trolling.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

57. Teo things:

1) They've denied it, so it's like true.

2) They probably would use this for entrapment of immigrants.

[C Moon]

58. I had to make sure this wasn't an article by The Onion. :O

[DENVERPOPS]

59. Right there with you CM

Either that or Borowitz..........

This is proof of what the Onion and Borowitz said about Trumps shit during the first term:
They both said that their Satire was Dead, because no one could write anything more far fetched than ....the reality of the Trump Shit..

[boonecreek]

60. Good lord, what next?

Gnome probably thought The Hunger Games was a documentary.

[Renew Deal]

61. Will it model the Hunger Games?

It achieves two of their goals. Distraction and reducing numbers of people.

[KatyaR]

62. I have no hope for this country.

Why don't they just throw them in an arena with a bunch of lions that haven't been fed in a week?

Reality TV is crap.

[suegeo]

63. Department of Homeland Security. A gift from that asshole GW Bush

I remember when GW Bush (who stole the election) allowed the USA to be attacked in 2001. He ignored all the warnings, on purpose. (LIHOP) Hell, he probably helped the terrorists kill Americans. (MIHOP).

PNAC.

All so the chimp could get his war on, despite not being elected, the guy with fewer votes won. Sure.

Then all hell breaks loose on the republican's watch. Terrorists from Saudi Arabia! Yemen funds! People in and out of flight schools in Minnesota and Floriduh (JEB!)

Then the guys who stole the election and flubbed Sept. 11 formed the Department of Homeland Security. These right wing fascist lunatics. And not without controversy.

The DHS goal was provide security to "the homeland". Terrorism terrorism. Muslims! Building mosques in NYC!
Whatta load of horse shit.

Tom Ridge comes up with a color coded terrorist threat scheme.
When GOP scandals and GOP law breaking creep into public consciousness, Ridge screws with the colors of the threat system to keep people cowed in fear. Psychological warfare on the America public, by the GOP.

Chertoff. The guy who was a nasty cop creep in NYC.

Nasty traitors then, nasty traitors now.

A DHS reality tv show for immigrants to get citizenship? Maybe focus on keeping people safe? But the GOP has been proven UNABLE to keep us safe. They don't know how, no skills, little intelligence.

And with the latest game show nonsense, the cuts to funding for cyber attacks, etc. who is going to protect us from terrorists who hate us? They'll et ISIS (or al queda) bomb Des Moines.

Or, who will protect us from domestic fascist Nazi terrorists who attack the capitol putting our Congress men and women in danger. Hang Mike Pence! Bomb threats at the DNC. Bomb threats at the polls.

There are masked men kidnapping people off the streets of America, throwing them into unmarked vans, and taking them to who knows where.

While the dingbat from South Dakota overspends her DHS budget, and then calls that guy sent to El Salvador by mistake "a terrorist". As if Noem labelling that man is all that's needed to make him a dangerous terrorist.

I want a divorce from the GOP. And citizens who vote GOP. I don't want to live with them, beside them. They are all fascist nut bars. They are going to get lots of Americans killed. Signal chat!

I just ramble because sometimes I feel like I'm losing my mind. When in reality, the stupid unpatriotic Nazis in this country are putting us in so much danger. We live in an armed mad house.

[ShazzieB]

64. And once again, the cruelty is the point. 😠

I really hope this sick, sadistic idea never comes to fruition. Let it stay where it belongs: in that warped and twisted thing Noem calls her brain.

[hamsterjill]

65. They all think America is a reality show.

Sick people. It's all they know.

Noem can barely move her mouth from all of the botox or plastic surgery or whatever. She looks like the freak show that she's proven herself to be.

I will continue to remind everyone, including the MAGA's, that people fought and died for the rights we have in this country and THIS COUNTRY IS NOT some fucking reality tv show!

[BumRushDaShow]

69. What's that saying?

"When you hire clowns, expect a circus"

[sakabatou]

70. That's fucking evil

[JPPaverage]

71. This a real story?

This ain't the Onion?
We are living in a surreal world.

[rambler_american]

73. Hunger Games recux. n/t

[Imperialism Inc.]

74. As awful as this sounds...

I kind of think this would backfire. People connect with the people they see on these shows. Imagine all the not quite MAGA people that voted for Trump rooting for one of the people and then they get "voted off". Might just wake some of them the f*** up. I hope it doesn't happen but I don't think it would go the way they think. Immigrants aren't the criminal monsters they've been told they are.

[Ilsa]

75. I'm guessing it'll be bloodier than an English grammar

contest or American Geography on Jeopardy or Name That Amendment.

[AZLD4Candidate]

76. I smell that feckless asshole Mark Burnett involved in this. After all, that Aussie prick gave us The Apprentice

God, when I met him in LA with my former agent, the man made my skin crawl how much he oozed scumbag.

[riverbendviewgal]

77. My first thought was of the America TV

Show "Queen for A Day" which had women competing as being the most ill fortuned to win appliances.
This goes way back. In 50s or 60s

[Mr. Evil]

78. Wow.

Just when you think these people are fucking sick. They prove that they are fucking sicker.

[Evolve Dammit]

79. Entertainment for the unwashed to keep them amused. Worked since Roman times and probable before. nt

[SupportSanity]

80. This already happened, didn't it? It was called "The Hunger Games".

Pitiful.

They will do anything to promote sadism and arrogance.

Welcome to America.

[TygrBright]

81. Next up: "Running Man"

Ain't dystopia fun?

ironically,
Bright

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

83. Or "Gladiator"

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gDbltV8z7dQ

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

82. It'll be produced by the same guy who does Dumbfuck Dynasty

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-officials-talks-duck-dynasty-163321179.html