US considering reality TV competition for citizenship

Trump

The US Department of Homeland Security is considering taking part in a reality TV show in which immigrants would compete for American citizenship, the department confirmed on Friday.

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 program, which would see contestants compete in one-hour episodes. Punch