DHS responds to immigrant ideas competing for citizenship
The Department of Homeland Security is considering collaborating on a television show with producers of the popular reality show Duck Dynasty.
Straight Arrow News
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security is considering collaborating on a television show with producers of popular reality show Duck Dynasty.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin initially denied that the idea, first reported by Dailymail.com, has been considered by DHS or Kristi Noem of Homeland Security.
“This is completely wrong. The Daily Mail ‘report’ is a humiliation to journalism. Secretary Gnome is not “supporting” nor is he aware of the pitch of a scripted or real-life show,” McLaughlin said in a statement emailed to USA Today.
In a report on May 16, the UK publication stated that “ideas are real and outlined on a 35-page program pitch in conjunction with the DHS secretary,” and Rob Wasoff, author and producer known for his popular A&E reality show on the Robertson family and their hunting empire, is Rob Wasoff.
McLaughlin said DHS will receive “pitches of hundreds of television shows per year,” including documentaries that include border operations by immigration and customs enforcement and customs border security branches, as well as white-collar investigations by the Homeland Security Investigation Division.
“Each proposal undergoes a thorough review process prior to rejection or approval,” McLaughlin said. “This pitch has not been approved or rejected by staff.”
However, McLaughlin later admitted to other media outlets that the proposal was “in the first stage of its review process.”
The proposed series is called “America,” named after the trains where competitors run around the country, and compete in regionally-specific “cultural” contests such as the Wisconsin logroll. It said the winner will be sworn as a citizen on the stairs of the U.S. Capitol and end with the grand finale.
“Along the way, we remind us of what it means to be American — through the eyes of those who want it the most,” according to Worsoff’s pitch, the article says.
“I’m not part of political ideology. As an immigrant myself, I’m simply trying to create shows celebrating the immigration process, celebrate the meaning of being American and have a national conversation about what it means to be America through the eyes of those who want it the most.”
The Daily Mail also cited Trump’s appointee under the NOEM McLaughlin as fully supportive as DHS’s assistant secretary.
“I think that’s a good idea,” McLaughlin cited as saying.
McLaughlin told the Daily Mail that agency staff called the producers last week, but Norm hadn’t explained it yet.
“However, Dailymail.com has confirmed that Noem wants to support and move forward with the project,” the media outlet added Noem “want to showcase what it means to be an American amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.”
In January, A&E announced a reboot of the original hit show in a press release, with the show following the Robertson family saying, “They map the future of duck commanders, watching children navigate their own business with their children and hand over the family legacy.”
If the proposed new show gets green lights at DHS and Hollywood, the contestants will already be immigrants to the system and compete in various contests, including possibilities relating to American history and science, told the Wall Street Journal.
He said losing a competitor would not face deportation.
“This is not an immigrant ‘Hunger Games’,” Wasov said. “This isn’t the case. ‘Hey, if you lose, we’re shipping you out of the country’s boats.”
