Green card as a prize? Trump administration weighs reality show pitch for citizenship

Trump administration considering TV reality show for immigrants

Imagine a high-stakes reality game show where immigrants from different countries come together in a shared house, competing in challenges that are both patriotic and rooted in various American traditions and customs.

The final winner? They receive the prize of US citizenship.

It may sound like Bigg Boss meets Squid Game. As strange as it may seem, this idea could soon become reality.

According to a report by CNN, the Department of Homeland Security is currently considering a television show in which immigrants would go through a series of challenges to compete for US citizenship.

“The show in question is in the very beginning stages of that vetting process and has not received approval or denial by staff,” said a DHS spokesperson in a statement to CNN.

The show was pitched by reality television producer Rob Worsoff, himself a Canadian immigrant. Worsoff, known for producing Duck Dynasty and The Millionaire Matchmaker, envisions a competition-style program where immigrants take part in uniquely American cultural and civic challenges across the country.

“It’s not mean-spirited. Instead, The American is a celebration of what it means to be American… At a time when our morale is at an all-time low,” Worsoff said in a social media post.

What the show would look like

The proposed show would feature challenges tied to regional heritage — like mining for gold in San Francisco, building rockets in Florida, or even pizza-making in New York. These tasks would be paired with town hall-style meetings and local votes to determine which contestant best represents their state.

“The people of Tennessee, let’s say, will get to vote on which one of our future Americans they would most like to represent the state of Tennessee,” Worsoff told CNN.

Each episode would also highlight the personal journeys of the contestants, offering emotional backstories and insights into their aspirations.

“We need to be reminded of how proud and how much of an honour it is to be American,” Worsoff said. Emphasizing the non-punitive nature of the show, he added, “There’s nobody who loses on this show — it’s ridiculous to even suggest otherwise.”

Worsoff explained that the concept was inspired by his own naturalization process and that he began developing the idea during the Obama administration. Though he has had discussions with DHS, he clarified that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has not been involved.

Show pitch under review

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for DHS, confirmed that the department receives “hundreds of television show pitches a year,” including those for documentaries and programs related to immigration enforcement and border operations.

“Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval,” McLaughlin said. She noted that if approved, the show would serve as a “celebration of being an American” and help “revive a sense of civic responsibility.”

Despite prior media reports, McLaughlin stated that Secretary Noem has neither backed nor reviewed the proposal.

While no formal approval has been granted, Worsoff remains optimistic, saying the conversations with DHS are “trending in a good way.”

The proposal emerges at a time when the Trump administration is simultaneously enforcing stricter immigration policies and testing softer, more symbolic outreach strategies.

Earlier this month, the administration introduced a voluntary self-deportation program, offering plane tickets and $1,000 to undocumented migrants who choose to leave the U.S. willingly.