US considering reality TV citizenship competition

WASHINGTON: The US Department of Homeland Security is considering a reality TV show where immigrants compete for American citizenship. 

Officials say they are reviewing the idea but have not yet made a final decision. The proposed show would feature challenges meant to test contestants’ knowledge and skills, with one person eliminated in each episode. 

The plan has sparked debate amid ongoing immigration policy changes.

Asked about the reported idea, DHS responded with a statement saying 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—pitched by Canadian-American 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 film 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 outlining the proposed programme, which would see contestants compete in one-hour episodes.

This could include a gold rush challenge where contestants retrieve the most precious metal from a mine or a competition where teams work together to assemble the chassis of a Model T car, according to the newspaper.

The show would start with an arrival at Ellis Island—the traditional entry point for immigrants to the United States—and would see one contestant eliminated per episode.

The news comes as former reality TV star President Donald Trump’s administration has moved to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for various groups of immigrants it had shielded from deportation.

Federal law permits the government to grant TPS to foreign citizens who cannot safely return home due to war, natural disasters or other "extraordinary" conditions.

Since taking office, Trump has sought to strip TPS protections from citizens of countries including Afghanistan, Haiti and Venezuela as part of his broader crackdown on immigration.

That crackdown—led by DHS—has included immigration raids, arrests and deportations.