The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pushing back strongly against a widely circulated Daily Mail report that claimed the agency and its Secretary, Kristi Noem, were involved in a proposed reality TV show that would allow immigrants to compete for American citizenship.
The story, which stirred controversy online, alleged that DHS had entertained a pitch for a show titled The American, produced by Rob Worsoff — a veteran of unscripted television with credits including Duck Dynasty, Alpha Dogs, and The Millionaire Matchmaker. According to the Daily Mail, Secretary Noem had even “backed” the show, which would reportedly feature immigrants participating in challenges across the country, ranging from civic quizzes to physical tasks, for a shot at U.S. citizenship.
In a statement released Friday, DHS refuted the article, dubbing it “Fake News Friday” and accusing the Daily Mail of pushing a “media hoax.” The department said unequivocally that Secretary Noem was neither involved in, nor even aware of, the show’s pitch.
DHS: “An Affront to Journalism”
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin issued a blistering response to the report, describing it as “an affront to journalism.”
“Secretary Noem has not ‘backed’ nor is even aware of the pitch of any scripted or reality show,” McLaughlin said. “DHS receives hundreds of television show pitches a year, ranging from documentaries surrounding ICE and CBP border operations to white collar investigations by HSI. Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval. This pitch has not received approval or rejection by staff.”
While the DHS firmly denied any official approval or involvement, McLaughlin’s statement notably stopped short of denying that the pitch was received. That nuance left some room for speculation, especially after the New York Times confirmed that producer Rob Worsoff had indeed submitted the concept for consideration.
A Real Proposal — Just Not an Official One
In an interview with the New York Times, Worsoff, a Canadian-born producer who is now a naturalized U.S. citizen, confirmed that the reality series idea was very real. He emphasized that the show was intended as a celebration of the immigrant experience, not a punitive spectacle.
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“We need a national conversation about what it means to be American,” Worsoff told the paper. “We need to be reminded of how proud and how much of an honor it is to be American. We’re going to get to know these people and their stories and their journeys, and we’re celebrating them as humans.”
According to a pitch deck reviewed by both the Times and the Daily Mail, the show would be called The American. Contestants would participate in various challenges focused on U.S. civics and history, with the winner being granted citizenship. Importantly, Worsoff noted that contestants who did not win would not be penalized or deported.
Mixed Messaging from DHS?
Although the department’s official press release dismissed the entire premise as false, McLaughlin’s comments to the New York Times suggested a slightly more open stance on the broader idea.
“The pitch generally was a celebration of being an American and what a privilege it is to be able to be a citizen of the United States of America,” she said. “It’s important to revive civic duty.”
Those remarks are a notable contrast from the more hostile tone of the DHS press release, which aimed to distance the agency from any association with the show.
The discrepancy has sparked questions about whether the department is internally divided on how to handle the pitch or merely responding cautiously to media backlash. Either way, DHS has not confirmed whether the show has been formally rejected or if the proposal remains under review.
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Hollywood Meets Homeland Security
It remains unclear whether The American has been shopped to television networks or streaming platforms. Worsoff’s production history suggests the idea has the potential to draw industry interest, especially in an era where unscripted programming about real-life experiences and political issues continues to trend across platforms.
Worsoff has yet to release an official statement beyond his interview with the Times, and his representatives have not responded to requests for comment from multiple outlets, including Variety and WhatsTrending.
In the meantime, public reaction has been mixed. Critics of the idea argue that gamifying immigration trivializes the struggles of people seeking citizenship and risks turning a deeply personal process into a spectacle. Others see the concept as an opportunity to humanize immigrants and educate Americans on the naturalization process.
A Bigger Conversation About Immigration and Media
While the show’s future remains uncertain, the debate it has sparked reflects larger national tensions around immigration, civic identity, and media representation.
Immigration remains a politically volatile topic, and the idea of awarding citizenship through reality television strikes many as controversial at best — even if the intention is to celebrate the American dream.
Still, Worsoff believes that The American could be an opportunity to bring empathy and context to a polarized conversation.
“We’re putting a face to these people, to their journey,” he told the Times. “We want viewers to understand that these are not statistics — they are stories.”
Whether or not that story ever makes it to the screen, it has already ignited a dialogue about the intersection of entertainment, politics, and the very definition of what it means to be an American.
