Trump Turns the American Dream Into a Reality Show Where Immigrants Compete for Citizenship

In a move that reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing fusion of policy and spectacle, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is currently reviewing a proposal that would turn the process of obtaining American citizenship into a televised game show. The pitch, described by officials as “out-of-the-box,” would have immigrants compete in a series of challenges inspired by American history, culture, and civic traditions. 

The winner would be granted U.S. citizenship. The proposal has not been approved, but the very fact that it is under consideration has prompted a wave of public criticism and concern.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that the department had received the pitch and described it as part of a broader effort to revive national pride. “We need to revive patriotism and civic duty in this country, and we’re happy to review out-of-the-box pitches,” McLaughlin told The New York Times. “This pitch has not received approval or rejection by staff.”

According to McLaughlin, the department receives hundreds of media and entertainment proposals every year, including documentaries on border enforcement and internal investigations.

The proposed show was created by Rob Worsoff, a Canadian-born producer known for his work on the reality series Duck Dynasty, which gained popularity among conservative audiences. Worsoff explained that the idea stemmed from his own experience with the naturalization process in the United States. He envisioned a program in which immigrant contestants face patriotic challenges and historical reenactments to demonstrate their understanding of and commitment to American values.

According to The Wall Street Journal, which reviewed a 36-page pitch document, the show would consist of one-hour episodes featuring challenges such as building rockets in homage to NASA, reenacting the Gold Rush in San Francisco, and participating in an assembly-line competition in Detroit.

The season would open with a symbolic arrival at Ellis Island, the historic port of entry for generations of immigrants. Each challenge would highlight different aspects of the American experience, from exploration and innovation to industry and perseverance. At the end of the season, one contestant would be sworn in as a United States citizen in a nationally broadcast ceremony.

Worsoff has stated that participants who do not win would not be deported and that the show is intended to inspire appreciation for American values rather than to penalize anyone. “This isn’t The Hunger Games for immigrants,” he told The Wall Street Journal. “This is not: ‘Hey, if you lose, we are shipping you out on a boat out of the country.’”

Still, the idea has drawn immediate backlash. Critics argue that turning the path to citizenship into entertainment risks trivializing a legal and deeply personal process. Civil rights advocates warn that such a spectacle could dehumanize immigrants and reduce their hopes, dreams, and sacrifices to a ratings-driven competition.

The framing of citizenship as a prize to be won through televised performance raises profound concerns about the administration’s perception of immigration as theater rather than a legal right.

At the center of this development is Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who is overseeing the nation’s current immigration enforcement strategy. Noem, the former governor of South Dakota, has embraced a high-visibility approach to her role.

Since assuming office, she has attracted attention for staging public ride-alongs with immigration enforcement officers while wearing tactical gear and participating in photo ops that critics say are more cinematic than administrative.

One notable example was her visit to a prison in El Salvador, where she posed for photos inside a notorious facility housing hundreds of deported men. Dressed immaculately and reportedly wearing a $50,000 Rolex watch, Noem’s image from that trip went viral and sparked debates about the optics of immigration enforcement in the Trump era.

While McLaughlin insisted that Noem had no prior knowledge of the television show pitch, many observers have noted that the idea’s tone aligns with the theatrical style Noem has brought to her leadership of DHS. The broader context of this proposal—emerging amid President Trump’s expansive and forceful immigration crackdown—has only amplified scrutiny.

Since President Trump resumed office, the administration has implemented a sweeping set of immigration policies that have affected undocumented immigrants, legal permanent residents, asylum seekers, and individuals with pending court cases. In some cases, even U.S. citizen children have been deported alongside undocumented parents.

These actions have sparked legal challenges and protests across the country, with opponents calling the approach cruel and unconstitutional.

The show pitch appears to be a continuation of the Trump administration’s unique blend of political messaging and media performance. President Trump, who rose to national prominence as a real estate mogul and reality TV star, has often employed media spectacle as a core component of his leadership strategy.

From dramatic press conferences to viral social media messaging, Trump’s presidency has consistently blurred the line between government and entertainment.

If this proposal were to move forward, it would mark a radical departure from traditional views on immigration and citizenship. Historically, the process of becoming a U.S. citizen has involved a long and formal journey through applications, background checks, interviews, and civics tests.

That process is grounded in law and intended to reflect the solemnity of joining the American political community. Turning it into a televised competition would shift the emphasis from legality and commitment to personality and performance.

While the administration has not yet commented on how seriously the proposal is being evaluated, the decision to engage with it at all has opened the door to new political and cultural tensions. Proponents argue that the show could highlight immigrants’ talents and determination in a positive light.

They claim it would generate public interest in the immigration system and potentially restore public confidence in the values of hard work and patriotism.

However, opponents argue that no amount of entertainment value can justify turning a foundational pillar of American democracy into a form of televised sport. They warn that such a move could further polarize the national conversation on immigration and distract from the urgent need for real reform.

As the Trump administration continues to reshape immigration policy, this proposal serves as a revealing moment about its broader vision. The idea of gamifying citizenship reflects a governing philosophy in which performance often trumps process, and symbolism takes precedence over substance.

Whether or not the show ever airs, its emergence signals a deeper cultural shift in how the United States approaches immigration—not as a legal pathway, but as a competition for approval.

In today’s America, under President Trump, even the promise of citizenship may come down to winning the spotlight.