Trump Administration Mulling Big Boss-Like Reality TV Show With US Citizenship As Prize For Immigrants

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering a Big Boss-like reality TV show, in which immigrants from various countries compete to get American citizenship, CNN reported, citing a statement from a spokesperson. The spokesperson said, "The show in question is in the very beginning stages of that vetting process and has not received approval or denial by staff."

The concept is titled 'The American', was pitched by reality TV veteran producer Rob Worsoff, known for shows like Duck Dynasty and The Millionaire Matchmaker.Worsoff, a Canadian immigrant himself, said the idea dawned on him during his own naturalisation process.

Worsoff took to Facebook to speak about the concept and said, "It's not mean-spirited. Instead, 'The American' is a celebration of what it means to be American... At a time when our morale is at an all-time low."

In his second term, Trump has enforced a major crackdown on illegal immigrants, deporting more than 271,000 individuals - the highest in nearly a decade.

The concept by Worsoff includes a format where immigrants would travel across the US and undertake region-specific cultural tasks. The activities would be "stereotypically American", like collecting gold from a mine in San Francisco or seeing which immigrant could assemble a rocket first,Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security spokesperson said.

She also said, if at all the pitch materialises, would be a "celebration of being an American."

 In 2017, during his first term, Trump gave documentary filmmakers access to operations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for a show called 'Immigration Nation.'

Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025, 05:21 PM IST