Homeland Security considering reality TV show for immigrants bidding for US citizenship
A sensational new idea to judge potential US immigrants via a reality TV show is reportedly being weighed up by the US Department of Homeland Security.
Immigration has been a hot topic in the United States since the return of Donald Trump to the Oval Office as the 46th president last January.
Having promised to 'stop the invasion of illegals' into domestic territory, Trump's administration have since placed an emphasis on a border crackdown, with the White House reporting that illegal border encounters are 'down by 95 percent'. US president Donald Trump. Pic: Sarah Rice/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Now, the matter has progressed to the point of alternative strategies – with one idea being to judge immigrants attempting to come to America via a reality TV show.
In short, yes. According to DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLauglin, the proposed reality show is 'in the very beginning stages of that vetting process and has not received approval or denial by staff'.
According to McLaughlin, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem has not reviewed the proposal. The Trump administration placed an emphasis on anti-immigration policies in the immediate aftermath of January's swearing-in. Pic: Getty Images
The proposal was pitched by Rob Worsoff, a Canada-born writer and producer who previously produced 'Duck Dynasty' and 'Millionaire Matchmaker'.
Worsoff recently told the Wall Street Journal that while he was yet to have had direct contact with Noem, he had received 'positive feedback from the federal agency' and added preliminary discussions with networks were taking place.
As per a pitch deck obtained by the Daily Mail, the show format would feature feature a 'heritage challenge,' an 'elimination challenge,' a 'town hall meeting' and a 'final vote.' Access to the United States will be made more difficult for some due to stricter immigration policies adopted by the Trump administration. Pic: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Twelve immigrant contestants would arrive to Ellis Island via boat before travelling around the United States in a train called 'The American' – the touted name for the entire show – to learn about the nation's history.
Along the way would be further All-American tasks for contestants to complete, like mining for gold in San Francisco, logrolling in Wisconsin, and assembling the chassis for a Model T Ford in Detroit.
The show would reach its crescendo with the 'winner' being sworn in as an American citizen on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
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