The Blubber

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is currently reviewing a proposal for a reality television show in which immigrants would compete for U.S. citizenship, a DHS spokesperson confirmed in a statement to CNN. The spokesperson clarified that “the show in question is in the very beginning stages of that vetting process and has not received approval or denial by staff.”

Producer Rob Worsoff, the person behind the pitch, described the concept as a “positive love letter to America,” and dismissed concerns that the show would demean participants. “This isn’t about punching down,” he said.

Worsoff, a Canadian immigrant whose producing credits include reality shows like The Millionaire Matchmaker, Duck Dynasty, and The Biggest Loser, said the idea has been in the works since the Obama administration. He claims to have had three discussions with DHS under the current administration, describing the conversations as substantial, but added that Secretary Kristi Noem has not been involved at any point.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told CNN that the department receives hundreds of pitches for television projects each year, ranging from ICE and CBP-focused documentaries to series about white collar crime investigations by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval,” she said.

Earlier coverage of the show appeared in the Daily Mail and Wall Street Journal, though McLaughlin pushed back on the Daily Mail’s reporting, saying that Secretary Noem has neither endorsed nor reviewed any scripted or unscripted show proposal.

Worsoff likened his show to a version of The Biggest Loser — a reality series centered on weight loss — but said the immigration competition wouldn’t have losers. “It’s absurd to suggest otherwise,” he said. “There’s nobody who loses on this show.”

“These are individuals who are already strong candidates for citizenship,” Worsoff continued. “They’re in line. They’re here for the right reasons. What I’m offering is a chance for someone to move up — and that doesn’t hurt anyone else. In fact, it might help everyone. Viewers will see the humanity in each contestant, and perhaps those stories will open up other opportunities for them — maybe even job offers.”

He shared portions of a pitch deck with CNN, where the working title of the show is The American.

The pitch describes the show as featuring a diverse group of contestants in terms of age, ethnicity, and skillsets. Viewers would follow their journeys — through emotional and inspiring moments — gaining a renewed appreciation for the value of American citizenship through the experiences of 12 individuals seeking it.

Each episode would include segments such as a “heritage challenge,” an elimination round, a town hall event, and a final vote. The heritage challenge would vary by location — with possible examples including a gold rush-themed segment in San Francisco, a pizza-based challenge in New York, or a NASA-inspired task in Florida — designed to highlight the richness and variety of American history and culture.

Worsoff acknowledged that the format involves significant personal stakes, but he views that as a strength. “High stakes are part of any meaningful reality competition,” he said. “I’m not going to apologize for that. I think it adds weight and importance to what’s at stake — and I think that’s a good thing.”