A new reality TV show titled The American is reportedly in development with backing from members of the Trump administration.
According to Daily Mail, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is collaborating with Rob Worsoff, known for Duck Dynasty, on the project.
The show would feature 12 immigrants arriving at Ellis Island before competing in a series of physical and skill-based challenges across the United States. The grand prize would be US citizenship, awarded in a ceremony on the steps of the Capitol.
Challenges outlined in a 35-page pitch document include gold mining in San Francisco, log balancing in Wisconsin, rafting in Colorado, and even rocket building for NASA in Florida.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told The Daily Beast the show is only in the early vetting stages and denied Noem’s direct involvement.
Meanwhile, Daily Mail claims otherwise. According to its sources, Noem “supports the project and wants to proceed,” having spent weeks trying to secure a deal with Netflix or another major platform.
If approved, The American could mark an unprecedented blend of entertainment and immigration policy, likely fuelling further debate over the ethics of gamifying the path to citizenship.
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