American Citizenship Should Not Be a Reality TV Prize

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Coming soon to your TV: “America’s Got Migrants!”

According to the Daily Mail Online, the Department of Homeland Security is vetting a reality TV show in which legal immigrants would compete for a prize of fast-tracked U.S. citizenship. In the proposed series, “The American,” contestants would compete in ‘cultural’ challenges such as rolling logs in Wisconsin or making pizza in New York City. This would all lead to a grand finale in which the winner of the competition would be sworn in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

No, this is not a joke – and yes, DHS is actually considering this idea from Rob Worsoff, the producer of “Duck Dynasty.” DHS Spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in the New York Times that “The pitch generally was a celebration of being an American and what a privilege it is to be able to be a citizen of the United States of America. It’s important to revive civic duty.”

That Homeland Security would consider such a tasteless proposal speaks volumes about this administration. Obtaining American citizenship is a serious matter, not fodder for lowbrow entertainment. This idea should have been nixed from the start, as it would reduce what is a sacred birthright into a reality TV prize.

Most native-born Americans likely have no idea how difficult it is to become a citizen through legal channels. It is a process that can take decades, depending on an immigrant’s country of origin. In 2018, nearly one-third of people seeking visas through family members waited 10 years or more to get these papers; people from Mexico and the Philippines can wait twice as long. Those lucky enough to obtain a green card, which grants lawful permanent residence, then face wait times and backlogs before they can naturalize and become citizens.

It would be insulting to these immigrants, who are playing by the rules and getting in line, were DHS to be involved with a TV show that hands out citizenship as a prize. It’s no wonder that this proposal has met with a torrent of criticism online, with people calling it “cruel,” sick,” and “dystopian.”

After a flurry of news reports about the proposed series, DHS Spokesperson McLaughlin called the Daily Mail report an “affront to journalism” and pushed back on the suggestion that Secretary Kristi Noem was involved with the project.

But McLaughlin did not deny that DHS is weighing the idea. She told the Times the agency was happy to review “out-of-the-box pitches,” especially those that celebrate “what it means to be an American.”

If Homeland Security were interested in promoting “what it means to be an American,” maybe it could produce an in-house show about Constitutional rights, the separation of powers, and due process. Awareness of these principles seems to be lacking in an administration that has defied court orders, arrested students for activism, and sent migrants off to El Salvador without a hearing.

In contrast, most Americans understand how our democracy is supposed to function. The Pew Center reports that 78 percent of Americans believe that the Trump administration must follow federal court orders if an action is found to be illegal, while a YouGov survey in March found that six-in-ten Americans were against deporting migrants to El Salvador without due process.

True, reporting about “The American” series is a bit vague, and the show could end up being something like “Amazing Race: Citizenship Edition.” It’s still a terrible idea. Any reality show for immigrants holds potential to exploit and dehumanize people who simply want a better life for themselves and their families.

It is ironic that the government is open to the idea of letting the producer behind Dating Naked and The Millionaire Matchmaker vet candidates for expedited citizenship, while seeking to strip birthright citizenship away from some children born here. Then again, such misguided thinking is on brand for Homeland Security in this administration, which let Dr. Phil ride along with ICE agents during a deportation raid, and releases social media posts mocking immigrant detainees. Secretary Noem herself has shown a penchant for spectacle, cosplaying as an ICE agent and even posing in front of a group of imprisoned deportees while wearing a Rolex.

Homeland Security would be smart to steer clear of “The American” series proposal. U.S. citizenship is precious and deserves to be respected – not to be turned into content for reality TV.

Raul A. Reyes is an attorney and contributor to NBC Latino and CNN Opinion. Follow him on X: @RaulAReyes, IG: @raulareyes1.

This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.