US plans immigrant reality TV competition for citizenship to ‘revive patriotism’
The proposed show would see contestants face off in one-hour episodes to prove they are the most American
Asked about the reported idea, DHS responded with a statement that said 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 said in the statement.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the proposed show – which was pitched by a Canadian-American named Rob Worsoff – would see contestants face off to prove they are 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 movie about children forced to kill each other 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 said.
The Journal reviewed a 36-page slide deck from Worsoff’s team about the proposed programme, which would see contestants compete in one-hour episodes.