Is DHS Turning Immigration into Reality TV? Public Outrage and Kristi Noem’s Role in “The American”

By Boncopia team | Boncopia.com | Social Media Influencers | May 19, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is no stranger to headlines, but their latest venture has sparked a firestorm online: a proposed reality TV show called The American, where immigrants compete for a fast-tracked path to U.S. citizenship. Pitched by Duck Dynasty producer Rob Worsoff, the idea has drawn both intrigue and ire, with social media platforms like X buzzing with reactions. At the center of the controversy is DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, whose reported involvement—or lack thereof—has fueled debates about her priorities as a government official. Is she steering homeland security or auditioning for a role in America’s next big reality show? Let’s dive into the details, public sentiment, and what this means for Noem’s influencer-style leadership.

The Pitch: The American—Immigration as Entertainment?

Imagine 12 pre-vetted immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, welcomed by a celebrity host like Sofia Vergara or Ryan Reynolds, and boarding a train called The American to crisscross the U.S. They’d compete in “quintessentially American” challenges—think gold mining in San Francisco, logrolling in Wisconsin, or assembling a Model T Ford in Detroit. Each episode would feature a heritage challenge, an elimination round, a town hall, and a public vote, culminating in one winner being sworn in as a U.S. citizen on the Capitol steps, complete with a flyover by the Air Force Thunderbirds. Losing contestants? They’d get consolation prizes like a million airline miles or a $10,000 Starbucks gift card and a leg up in the traditional citizenship process.

Rob Worsoff, a Canadian immigrant and reality TV veteran, insists The American is a “positive love letter to America,” designed to celebrate the immigration process and spark a national conversation about what it means to be American. He’s pitched the idea since the Obama administration, but it’s under Trump’s DHS that it’s gained traction. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the department is reviewing the 35-page pitch, calling it an “out-of-the-box” idea to revive patriotism, though it’s still in the early vetting stages and hasn’t been approved or denied.

Kristi Noem: DHS Secretary or “ICE Barbie”?

The pitch has thrust DHS Secretary Kristi Noem into the spotlight, with conflicting reports about her role. The Daily Mail initially claimed Noem was “backing” the project, even offering U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials to tally votes. However, McLaughlin and other sources, including The Wall Street Journal and CNN, deny Noem’s involvement, stating she hasn’t reviewed the pitch and isn’t aware of it. Worsoff himself told the Wall Street Journal he hasn’t spoken to Noem directly, only her colleagues.

Despite these denials, Noem’s high-profile, media-savvy approach to her role fuels speculation. Dubbed “ICE Barbie” by critics for her photo ops—posing with ICE agents, touring El Salvador’s megaprison, and even flying a military plane—Noem has cultivated a larger-than-life persona. Her critics, including Rep. Bennie Thompson and conservatives like Meghan McCain, argue she prioritizes staged media stunts over substantive policy, especially as Trump’s mass deportation agenda lags. A recent incident where she pointed a weapon at a Border Patrol agent during a photo op didn’t help her image.

On X, users have linked Noem’s flashy style to the reality show pitch, with some suggesting it aligns with her “made-for-TV” leadership. Whether she’s directly involved or not, the optics of DHS entertaining this idea under her watch have amplified scrutiny of her priorities.

Public Reaction: Outrage, Skepticism, and Dystopian Vibes

Social media, particularly X, has erupted with reactions to The American, and the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative. Users are calling it “barbaric,” “offensive,” and “dystopian,” drawing comparisons to The Hunger Games and Squid Game. Here’s a snapshot of the discourse:

• @maggiekenney (May 17, 2025): “This is barbaric, offensive and unbelievably wrong. These are people's lives, and they want to make a game of it?!”

• @ArtJipson (May 16, 2025): “This trivializes immigration struggles, reducing complex human experiences to entertainment—risks dehumanizing participants by framing citizenship as a prize in a game.”@cbarbermd

  (May 16, 2025): “A DHS reality show where immigrants compete for citizenship? No, this isn’t The Hunger Games—but it sure feels like it. Nothing says ‘land of opportunity’ like turning the American Dream into a game show.”

The backlash centers on the idea that turning immigration—a deeply personal and often traumatic process—into a reality TV spectacle is dehumanizing. Critics argue it exploits vulnerable people for entertainment, especially against the backdrop of Trump’s aggressive deportation policies, which include shutting down asylum and targeting millions of undocumented migrants. The notion of immigrants competing in “cultural” challenges like pizza-making or logrolling while vying for citizenship strikes many as trivializing a serious issue.

Some defend the concept, echoing Worsoff’s claim that it could educate the public about immigration. A post from @grok (May 16, 2025) noted, “The DHS reality show idea, The American, aims to celebrate citizenship and share immigrant stories, with no penalties for participants. It could educate the public.” However, even this defense acknowledged the risk of exploitation, reflecting the polarized sentiment.

The Bigger Picture: Reality TV and Trump’s America

The idea of The American isn’t happening in a vacuum. President Trump, a reality TV veteran from The Apprentice, has long blurred the lines between governance and spectacle. His administration’s $200 million ad campaign featuring Noem urging undocumented immigrants to “leave now” already leans into performative media. The reality show pitch feels like a natural extension of this approach, especially as producers eye collaborations with Trump’s team, including a $40 million deal for a Melania Trump documentary.

Worsoff insists the show isn’t “mean-spirited” and that all contestants are “likely to become future Americans,” with no one deported for losing. Yet the high stakes—citizenship as a prize—clash with the administration’s hardline immigration stance, raising ethical questions. Advocacy groups, already suing over Trump’s policies like the birthright citizenship executive order, are likely to see this as another affront to immigrant dignity.

Noem’s Social Media Influence: A Double-Edged Sword

Kristi Noem’s tenure as DHS Secretary has been defined by her influencer-like presence. From posting photos of ICE raids before operations concluded to walking on stage to “Hot Mama” at a DHS town hall, she’s built a brand that thrives on visibility. This approach has earned her both fans and detractors. Supporters see her as a bold communicator, while critics, including some within DHS, view her as prioritizing image over substance.

Her “ICE Barbie” moniker, while derogatory, underscores her knack for commanding attention—much like a reality TV star. Whether or not she’s directly tied to The American, the pitch aligns with her media-driven style. Social media users on X have mocked her as “Cosplay Kristi,” suggesting the show fits her penchant for spectacle. Yet, with DHS struggling to meet Trump’s deportation goals, her focus on photo ops—and now, potentially, reality TV—has drawn fire from high-profile conservatives like Megyn Kelly, who argue it distracts from policy failures.

Why It Matters: Ethics, Optics, and Immigration

The debate over The American isn’t just about a TV show; it’s about how America grapples with immigration in an era of polarization. Turning citizenship into a competition risks trivializing a process that defines millions of lives. It also raises questions about DHS’s priorities under Noem’s leadership. Is the department focused on security and policy, or is it chasing headlines and entertainment deals? The fact that DHS is even considering this pitch, as confirmed by McLaughlin, signals a willingness to blend governance with pop culture—a move that could backfire spectacularly.

Public sentiment on X reflects deep unease, with many seeing the show as a dystopian overreach. The comparison to The Hunger Games isn’t just hyperbole; it captures fears that the Trump administration is gamifying human struggles for political gain. Even if Noem isn’t directly involved, her media-heavy approach makes her a lightning rod for criticism, amplifying the backlash.

What’s Next for The American?

The show remains in the early vetting stage, with no network or streaming service attached. Worsoff is reportedly in preliminary talks with platforms like Netflix, but financial backing and public support are far from guaranteed. DHS’s history of working with filmmakers, like the 2017 documentary Immigration Nation, suggests they’re open to media projects, but the reality TV format is uncharted territory.

For Noem, the controversy adds to her growing list of challenges. Her defenders argue she’s unfairly targeted, with Noem herself dismissing critics as “noise” on Fox News. But as long as she leans into her influencer-style leadership, she’ll remain a polarizing figure, whether or not The American ever airs.

Final Thoughts: A Line Between Celebration and Exploitation

Rob Worsoff’s vision for The American may be well-intentioned, but good intentions don’t erase ethical concerns. The idea of immigrants competing for citizenship on national TV feels like a step too far, especially under an administration pushing mass deportations. Kristi Noem’s role—whether as a supporter or a bystander—underscores the tension between her duties as DHS Secretary and her flair for the spotlight. As social media users on X make clear, the public isn’t ready to cheer for a show that turns the American Dream into a reality TV prize.

What do you think? Is The American a creative way to celebrate immigration, or a dystopian misstep that exploits vulnerable people? Should Kristi Noem lean into her media-savvy persona or focus on policy over photo ops? And how far is too far when blending governance with entertainment? Share your thoughts below, and let’s keep the conversation going.

Sources:

• CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Daily Mail, The New York Times, Fox News, and other outlets for details on the pitch and DHS’s response.

• X posts for public sentiment.

Thought Questions:

1. Could a reality show like The American genuinely educate the public about immigration, or is it inherently exploitative?

2. How does Kristi Noem’s “ICE Barbie” persona impact her credibility as DHS Secretary?

3. Should government agencies like DHS engage with entertainment projects, or does this blur the line between policy and spectacle?