The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) blasted a report claiming Secretary Kristi Noem backs an immigrant citizenship reality show as “fake news” in a press release Friday.
“[DHS] Secretary Kristi Noem is pushing for an actual reality show pitting immigrants against each other ‘for the honor of fast-tracking their way to U.S. citizenship,’” The Daily Mail reported Thursday.
The outlet claimed it confirmed that Noem supports the proposed show.
However, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin slammed the report as “fake news” and called it “an affront to journalism.”
“Secretary Noem has not ‘backed’ nor is even aware of the pitch of any scripted or reality show,” she wrote in a statement.
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“DHS receives hundreds of television show pitches a year, ranging from documentaries surrounding ICE and CBP border operations to white collar investigations by HSI,” McLaughlin continued.
“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. This pitch has not received approval or rejection by staff,” she concluded.
This is completely false. @DailyMail’s “reporting” is an affront to journalism. Secretary Noem has not “backed” or even aware of the pitch of any scripted or reality show. @DHSgov receives hundreds of television show pitches a year, ranging from documentaries surrounding ICE… https://t.co/srSBHYl3Vp
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) May 16, 2025
McLaughlin said she spoke to the producer of the potential show, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The pitch is “in the very beginning stages of that vetting process,” she reportedly stated.
Rob Worsoff, who has worked on reality hits like “Duck Dynasty,” has apparently been pitching the idea since former President Barack Obama’s administration, according to WSJ. (RELATED: Journalist-Turned-Would-Be-Democrat Congressional Candidate Exposed For Allegedly Hiding Luxurious Elite Lifestyle)
“This isn’t ‘The Hunger Games’ for immigrants,” he told the outlet, stressing that immigrants who lost the contests would not be deported.
Instead, immigrants who are already in the American immigration system — not illegal aliens — would compete in various patriotic-themed tasks, WSJ reported.
The competitions would potentially involve science and American history, according to the outlet.
DHS previously collaborated with the producers of National Geographic’s “To Catch a Smuggler.”
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