And Trump’s no stranger to blending entertainment with immigration enforcement. Back in 2017, he gave documentary filmmakers full access to ICE raids for a show called Immigration Nation.
Hyderabad: In a weird turn of events, the US department of homeland security (DHS) is mulling over a proposal for a reality TV show where immigrants compete for American citizenship. Yes — a crossover between ‘The Apprentice’, which helped US President Donald Trump’s media visibility, and “The Amazing Race”, with a green card as the grand prize. It is aptly titled "The American", according to the news agency AFP.
Canadian-American movie producer Rob Worsoff pitched to the idea, which has not yet received the official thumbs up or down from DHS, but it has certainly raised eyebrows, and a few laughs.
Instead, the show would feature one-hour episodes with challenges meant to test the contestants' “American-ness.” Think gold rush treasure hunts, or assembling a Ford Model T, or riding horseback to deliver mail.
Among Indian students and experts, however, reactions have been a mix of excitement and disbelief.
“I’d 100% do it. It is a good chance for me to skip all the lines and waiting period for US citizenship. If I fail, I might as well get all the clout,” said Sai Varsha, a Telugu student from Hyderabad, with a laugh.
But not everyone’s sold on the idea. Karthik Reddy, also from Hyderabad and currently in Texas, said, “I’m not going to sell my self esteem in front of millions of people for the sake of a green card.”
Shiva Kumar Puchakayala, Asst. Professor at St. Mary’s College said “While the idea of a reality show centered on immigration could offer educational insights, it raises profound ethical and societal questions. The potential benefits must be carefully weighed against the risks of exploitation and the possible undermining of the immigration process's integrity.”
“Any such endeavor should prioritize the respectful and accurate representation of participants' experiences. Moreover, it poses a serious threat to individual privacy. For many immigrants, participation might not be a genuine choice but a coerced decision driven by the desire for citizenship”, he added.
Speaking to the media in Washington, according to the news agency AFP, Worsoff said “This isn’t ‘The Hunger Games’ for immigrants. This is not, 'Hey, if you lose, we are shipping you out on a boat out of the country'. Everybody on our show will be a future American.”
The series, if approved, would begin at Ellis Island, the iconic gateway for immigrants in the early 20th century. One contestant would be eliminated each episode.
DHS stated that the idea has been approved or rejected yet, and that all proposals go through “a thorough vetting process.” Assistant secretary for public affairs Tricia McLaughlin added, “We need to revive patriotism and civic duty in this country, and we're happy to review out-of-the-box pitches.”
