Department Of Homeland Security Considering Reality Show Pitch for U.S. Citizenship Competition Pitched by Rob Worsoff

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reviewing an unusual pitch for a new reality TV show called The American. The idea comes from Rob Worsoff, a reality TV producer known for shows like Duck Dynasty and The Millionaire Matchmaker. He recently shared the pitch on his Facebook page.

The American would put immigrants through various challenges based on stereotypical American activities. For example, contestants might collect gold from a mine in San Francisco or assemble a Model T car in Detroit. The goal is to compete for U.S. citizenship.

Worsoff, who is originally from Canada, said the show isn’t meant to be mean-spirited. Instead, he wants it to be “a celebration of what it means to be… well… American.” He hopes the show would lift people’s spirits, saying, “At a time when our morale is at an all-time low.”

DHS confirmed that the pitch is under review. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs, said, “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.”

She also clarified that The American is still in the early stages of the vetting process and hasn’t been approved or denied yet. McLaughlin denied a report by the Daily Mail that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was pushing the project. She stated that Noem is not involved.

According to Worsoff, the idea isn’t new. He said he had pitched it during both the Obama and Biden administrations. “It was never a flat-out NO from any admin. It was always just about timing,” he wrote on Facebook. He also clarified that he hasn’t spoken to Noem yet, though he has been working with some of her DHS colleagues.

Worsoff says he wants the show to send a positive message. He emphasized that losing in the competition wouldn’t impact a contestant’s actual citizenship process. Instead, he envisions it as “a heartfelt series with tears of joy and fun loud American challenges — be they mental, or physical.”

The show is still just a pitch at this point. Whether it moves forward or not will depend on DHS’s decision after a thorough review. Worsoff remains hopeful, saying, “I look forward to more updates on this in the future.”

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