Department of Homeland Security weighs controversial reality show where immigrants compete for US citizenship
DHS receives a proposal for a reality show featuring a competition between migrants for US citizenship.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has received a proposal for a reality competition show in which a group of immigrants would compete against each other to earn US citizenship.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Duck Dynasty producer Rob Worsoff is behind the pitch. The Canadian writer and producer told the outlet that he hasn’t directly communicated with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who has become famous within the administration for her media students. However, he has received positive feedback from DHS and is in preliminary discussions with networks.
“This isn’t ‘The Hunger Games’ for immigrants,” Worsoff said, referring to the book and film series whose premise is that contestants fight to the death for survival. He said his idea is to test contestants’ knowledge of American culture and history.
What has Secretary Noem said about the proposal?
After the Daily Mail and other outlets reported that DHS is considering the reality show proposal, the federal agency responded that the news “is completely false.” In a post on X, Assistant Secretary of DHS Tricia McLaughlin wrote that the story from The Daily Mail was “an affront to journalism,” adding that Secretary Noem was not “even aware of the pitch.”
This is completely false. @DailyMail’s “reporting” is an affront to journalism. Secretary Noem has not “backed” or even aware of the pitch of any scripted or reality show. @DHSgov receives hundreds of television show pitches a year, ranging from documentaries surrounding ICE… https://t.co/srSBHYl3Vp
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) May 16, 2025
DHS clarified that it receives hundreds of television program pitches each year. The pitches range from documentaries on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) border operations to white-collar crime investigations conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
" Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval," said McLaughlin.
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Nevertheless, the door to a possible reality show was not closed, with the assistant secretary adding that the government had a responsibility “to reinvigorate patriotism and civic duty in this country, and we gladly review original proposals.”
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