US plans immigrant reality TV competition for citizenship to ‘revive patriotism’

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering taking part in a reality TV show in which immigrants would compete for American citizenship, the department confirmed on Friday.

Asked about the reported idea, DHS responded with a statement that said the pitch “has not received approval or rejection by staff”, and that “each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval”.

“We need to revive patriotism and civic duty in this country, and we’re happy to review out-of-the-box pitches,” Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in the statement.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the proposed show – which was pitched by a Canadian-American named Rob Worsoff – would see contestants face off to prove they are the most American.

“This isn’t The Hunger Games for immigrants,” the newspaper quoted Worsoff as saying – a reference to a dystopian novel and subsequent movie about children forced to kill each other in a televised competition for survival.

“This is not, ‘Hey, if you lose, we are shipping you out on a boat out of the country,’” he said.