The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, has pitched a reality TV show with the producer of the reality show ‘Duck Dynasty.’ The proposed reality show would pit immigrants against each other in a contest, and the victor would receive a fast-tracked U.S. citizenship. At first, a spokesperson for DHS, Tricia McLaughlin, denied that such an idea was being considered. McLaughlin released a statement denying that Kristi Noem had pitched or was even aware of such a reality show.
DHS First Denies Proposal
The Daily Mail was the first to report on the reality show writing, “The idea is for real and is outlined in a 35-page program pitch put together in coordination with the DHS secretary.” The media outlet also added that Rob Worsoff, a writer and producer best known for “Duck Dynasty,” would be involved.
McLaughlin went on to add that the DHS receives “hundreds of television show pitches a year.” However, most of those pitches are for documentaries about border operations.“Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval,” McLaughlin said. “This pitch has not received approval or rejection by staff.”
DHS Backtracks On Denial
But McLaughlin would later backtrack on those comments when speaking with a different media outlet and admitted that Kristi Noem’s proposal was “in the very beginning stages of that vetting process.” Kristi Noem’s proposed reality show is called “The American.” Reportedly, the name comes from the train that the immigrant contestants would ride around the country as they competed in “cultural contests.”
Some of the competitions held include a log-rolling competition in Wisconsin, mining for gold, and assembling a Model T as they traveled across the country by train. The reality show would have a grand finale, which would feature the winner on the steps of the U.S. Capitol being sworn in.
Kristi Noem’s “American”
“Along the way, we will be reminded what it means to be American–through the eyes of the people who want it most,” the Worsoff’s pitch reads, according to the Daily Mail.”I’m not affiliated with any political ideology.”
“As an immigrant myself, I am merely trying to make a show that celebrates the immigration process. Celebrates what it means to be American and has a national conversation about what it means to be American, through the eyes of the people who want it most,” Worsoff told DailyMail.com.
Kristi Noem Wants Project To Proceed
Also, according to the Daily Mail, McLaughlin, who was appointed under Kristi Noem, was supportive of the idea. “I think it’s a good idea,” it quoted McLaughlin as saying. “However, DailyMail.com has confirmed that Kristi Noem supports the project and wants to proceed,” the media outlet said, adding that Kristi Noem “is wanting to showcase what it means to become an American, amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.”
If Noem’s proposed reality show moves forward, the contestants would be immigrants who are already in the system. Reportedly, losing contestants would not face deportation.“This isn’t ‘The Hunger Games’ for immigrants,” Worsoff said. “This is not, ‘Hey, if you lose, we are shipping you out on a boat out of the country.’”
Missing Deportee
Earlier this week, Noem refused to aid in locating Andre Hernandez Romero, 31, a gay asylum seeker from Venezuela. He had been deported to the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador. He was deported after his tattoos were misinterpreted as being gang-related. He has not been heard from in over one month.
“No one knows if he’s even alive,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, who is a gay Democrat from California. Garcia pleaded with Noem on Wednesday during a hearing to request a wellness check for Romero, but she refused.
