In most recent developments about the US immigration crackdown, a producer has pitched to the Department of Homeland Security a proposal about a reality TV show. As per Tricia McLaughlin, the DHS spokesperson, the show is truly in the “very beginning stages” and is in the “vetting process”. With a working title “The American”, the show will feature immigrants competing for US citizenship.

Pitched by producer Rob Worsoff, he is a Canadian immigrant himself. As the diverse eyes fixate on Trump’s second time in office and his promise of deporting the “illegal aliens” increases, Worsoff saw this as an opportunity. The “Millionaire Matchmaker” producer, however, is not in direct contact with DHS Secretary Noem, he did reveal a positive feedback from the agency has been received. McLaughlin told CNN in a statement that DHS “receives hundreds of television show pitches a year, ranging from documentaries surrounding ICE and CBP border operation to white collar investigations by HSI. Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval.”

‘This isn’t ‘The Hunger Games’ for immigrants’: Worsoff

In a joking remark made to the Washington Post, Worsoff waded off criticism referring to the fictional book-movie series where contestant compete for survival. He said that he imagines his show as a version of “The Biggest Loser” for immigration, drawing a parallel to the reality series where contestants competed to lose weight, though it too faced criticism for its content.

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It was revealed that each episode will feature three challenges, namely, Heritage, Elimination and Town Hall followed by a “Final Vote”.

“These are all people who are likely to become future Americans,” Worsoff said. “They are all people with a place in line. They are all people that are good candidates. I’m not punching down on anyone — I am offering somebody the opportunity to jump to the front of the line and nobody else loses. In fact, everybody else in line will be humanized and we’ll get to know their face and their story and we’ll love them and maybe they’ll get a job out of it, or maybe they’ll get other opportunities out of it,” as per CNN reports.

What is the internet saying?

While it has been established that there is large-scale criticism around the “DHS consideration” of the reality show, opposition leaders have expressed his distrust in the Trump administration after this announcement. “This is sick. Under the Trump Administration we lose more of our humanity every day.” shared Joaquin Castro. Adding to the sentiment, Yassamin Ansari expressed how she was “running out of ways to describe something being absolutely insane.”

“Remember when we were civilized…even helping humanity?” posted a user on X. The netizens have boarded the train of criticism as shared by Doug Ligor, a legal professional who shared that he “practiced immigration law for DOJ and DHS for over 15 years. Naturalization is a solemn and sacred process. This idea is as disgusting as it is dehumanizing. What have we become?”

“The latest in a long series of reminders that this admin prioritizes photo ops and performative cruelty over working seriously to address our country’s broken immigration system” posted another user reacting to the news. While netizens seem united on criticising the show, producer Rob Worsoff continues his quest for confirmation from Homeland Security. A true insight into the reality of the situation, netizens urge the DHS to work on immigration laws and not shows. However, this truly has the social media gripped for updates.