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Proposed Reality Show Offering Fast-Tracked Citizenship Sparks Ethical Concerns

The Department of Homeland Security confirms early-stage review of 'The American,' as bipartisan criticism mounts over the concept of turning naturalization into a televised competition.

Migrants who were deported from the U.S. to Mexico wave as they are transported to a shelter, as they cross El Chaparral pedestrian border bridge in Tijuana, Mexico, late Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
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Donald Trump considering reality TV show for immigrants | Image: Republic Media

Overview

  • Producer Rob Worsoff has pitched 'The American,' a reality TV show where legal immigrants compete for expedited U.S. citizenship, to multiple administrations, though it has yet to be implemented.
  • The Department of Homeland Security has clarified that the proposal is in the preliminary stages of review and has not been approved or denied.
  • Critics, including Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro, have labeled the concept as exploitative and demeaning, questioning its ethical implications.
  • Worsoff defends the show as a celebration of American values, rejecting comparisons to dystopian narratives like 'The Hunger Games.'
  • Experts and commentators highlight the serious and prolonged process of legal naturalization, raising concerns about trivializing citizenship through entertainment.