DHS Open to Duck Dynasty Producer's Pitch for Immigrant-Focused Reality TV Show

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is currently reviewing a proposal for an unconventional reality television series centered on immigrants vying for U.S. citizenship, in partnership with Rob Worsoff, a veteran producer best known for the hit show ‘Duck Dynasty.’ The proposed program, tentatively titled The American, would feature contestants participating in region-specific competitions across the United States, with the ultimate prize being an expedited path to citizenship.

According to materials obtained by news outlets, the show envisions participants traveling from state to state aboard the Amtrak train of the same name. At each stop, they would compete in activities that highlight local customs — such as clam-digging in Maine or rafting in Colorado — while also learning about the history and culture of each region. The concept pitch promises not only rigorous competition but also opportunities for contestants to share their backgrounds, personal stories, and motivations for immigrating to America.

“Aboard the train, we will learn who they are, where they come from, their unique backgrounds, and why they have chosen to immigrate to the United States of America,” reads one of the slides presented to DHS officials.

DHS officials have expressed cautious openness toward the idea. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin, stated, “We get hundreds of pitches for shows. We need to revive patriotism and civic duty in this country and we’re happy to review out-of-the-box pitches.” She added that the project remains in its early stages and has not yet been formally reviewed by department leadership, including Secretary Kristi Noem.

Although the winner would be celebrated as “our newest fellow American!”, all participating contestants would reportedly remain eligible to pursue citizenship through regular channels. Additional prizes, described as “iconically American,” have also been suggested — ranging from one million American Airlines points to a $10,000 Starbucks gift card and a lifetime supply of a popular gasoline brand.

Rob Worsoff, who is himself Canadian, explained to reporters that he first pitched the concept during the Obama administration and revived it under the current presidential administration, each time receiving positive feedback from DHS officials. He emphasized the uplifting intentions behind the show, comparing the initial skepticism surrounding this project to early doubts about his previous work, such as The Biggest Loser.

“My show is very much a positive, fun, inclusive show. Nobody’s moving backwards in the process by being on the show,” said Worsoff.

Worsoff, whose producing credits include the family-oriented series *Duck Dynasty* and Bravo’s *Millionaire Matchmaker*, also stressed that he has no partisan agenda and is simply interested in celebrating the immigrant experience and sparking a national conversation about what it means to be American.

Meanwhile, DHS continues its efforts to address national immigration concerns, recently launching a $200 million advertising campaign aimed at underscoring the administration’s measures to curtail illegal immigration. As the reality show proposal undergoes internal review, it remains to be seen whether The American will find its way onto television screens — and if so, whether it can influence public attitudes about the path to U.S. citizenship.