EXCLUSIVE
ICE Barbie Kristi Noem is backing insane reality TV show where immigrants compete for fast-tracked citizenship
By SHAWN COHEN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Published: 11:15 EDT, 15 May 2025 | Updated: 13:25 EDT, 15 May 2025
She's been called 'ICE Barbie' for treating her Cabinet position like a TV production, but now Homeland Security 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'.
It may sound like a joke, but the idea is for real and is outlined in a 35-page program pitch put together in coordination with the DHS secretary, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.
Noem is even offering up officials from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to tally votes for the made-for-TV contest.
The pitch comes from Rob Worsoff, a writer and producer known for Duck Dynasty, the A&E reality show about a Louisiana family and its hunting empire, and Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker.
The proposed series is called The American, named after the train that contestants would ride around the country, competing in regionally specific 'cultural' contests such as rolling logs in Wisconsin.
It would lead to a grand finale with the winner getting sworn in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
'Along the way, we will be reminded what it means to be American – through the eyes of the people who want it most,' reads Worsoff's pitch.
Worsoff – who himself was born in Canada – said: 'I’m not affiliated with any political ideology. As an immigrant myself, I am merely trying to make a show that celebrates the immigration process, celebrate what it means to be American and have a national conversation about what it means to be American, through the eyes of the people who want it most.'
Tricia McLaughlin, the top spokesperson for DHS, acknowledged that agency staff are reviewing this pitch and had a call with the producer last week. She insisted Noem is yet to be briefed on the initiative.
However, DailyMail.com has confirmed that Noem supports the project and wants to proceed.
And McLaughlin said: 'I think it's a good idea.'
Worsoff's project comes as Noem is wanting to showcase what it means to become an American, amid the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration.
She and her agency have been working for weeks to get such a project greenlit from Netflix or another streaming or cable service, sources tell DailyMail.com.
But while past outreach has fallen flat, they're hoping this one has a real chance.
In his pitch, Worsoff, 49, expresses confidence that The American would be a commercial hit and 'lends itself to enormous corporate sponsorship opportunities'.
The pitch was from Rob Worsoff, a writer and producer known for reality series including A&E's Duck Dynasty. He appeared alongside Jack Osbourne on a National Geographic panel
At the same time, there's concern among some in DHS about the possible optics of turning the plight of immigrants into a reality game show, sources say.
Noem is already suffering from the perception she cares more about image than fulfilling her responsibility to protect the homeland and crack down on illegal immigration.
'When will Secretary Noem stop prioritizing staged photo ops and media stunts?' one source asked.
'The focus on self-promotion is undermining our ability to deliver on President Trump's deportation mandate. We need leadership committed to logistics and results, not financial gain or reality show theatrics.'
As described in Worsoff's pitch, contestants from various countries and backgrounds would be pre-vetted and arrive at Ellis Island in New York City aboard 'The Citizen Ship', a boat symbolizing a new beginning.
They'd be greeted by the host – 'a famous, naturalized American who was also born in another country'.
Worsoff's pitch names Colombian-born Sofia Vergara, Canadian Ryan Reynolds and Mila Kunis who hails from Ukraine as possible hosts who'd greet each contestant with a welcome gift – a personalized baseball glove.
Contestants would then travel state to state meeting 'interesting Americans' and learning about the history, culture and quirks of each region. Viewers in turn will learn about each wannabe American and why they want to live here.
'We'll join in the laughter, tears, frustration, and joy – hearing their backstories – as we are reminded how amazing it is to be American, through the eyes of 12 wonderful people who want nothing more than to have what we have,' the pitch reads.
The immigrants would be divided into teams who'd face off in one-hour episodes.
Scenes envisaged include one in San Francisco, where the immigrants are sent down a mine to collect the most gold
In Cape Canaveral, Florida, the hub of NASA, contestants would rush to build and launch a rocket.
In Hayward, Wisconsin, they'd struggle to keep their balance on logs.
There would also be 'elimination challenges,' where contestants get divided into two groups.
The teams would raft down the Arkansas River in Colorado, dig clams in Maine, put together a chassis for the 1914 Model T Ford on an assembly line in Detroit, and deliver mail via horseback and ferry from Missouri to Kansas.
Although there will be a winner who will become 'our newest fellow American!', Worsoff makes it clear losers will have all been pre-screened for eventual citizenship, so will have a leg-up when it comes to applying for citizenship in the more traditional way.
Game prizes would be 'iconically American,' such as 1 million American Airlines points, a $10,000 Starbucks Gift Card, or a lifetime supply of 76 gasoline.
The live finale would feature the train braking at its final stop, Washington, D.C., where the winner walks to Capitol Hill for a swearing-in ceremony.
As Thunderbird pilots fly overhead, a 'top American politician or judge' will perform the swearing in, read Worsoff's pitch. 'There won't be a dry eye within 10 miles!'
Even before this latest reality TV show pitch, Noem, 53, faced mounting criticism for her penchant for documenting and dramatizing the work of her department.
In another apparent photo-op, Noem angered liberals for wearing an expensive watch while simultaneously berating suspected gangsters at the notorious El Salvador prison where the Trump administration banished some migrants.
DailyMail.com has obtained photos showing how she has even adorned the walls of agency offices with framed pictures showing her in rough and tough photo-ops.
The Wall Street Journal last month published a scathing report about her 'Made-for-TV Approach to Homeland Security.'
The article pointed out how just days after she took office as head of Homeland Security, she joined ICE agents on a predawn raid in New York City and tweeted about it before the raid had even concluded.
Insiders told the outlet that her post potentially alerted targets to the operation and ultimately resulted in fewer arrests than officials had expected.
'Live this AM from NYC. I'm on it,' Noem posted on X at 4:43am on January 28, along with a picture of herself hopping into a vehicle wearing an ICE baseball cap.
High profile conservatives including Meghan McCain and Megyn Kelly have torched the DHS secretary for her repeated photos ops in recent weeks, arguing that her desire for attention serves as a smoke screen to distract from the fact her agency has so far failed to fulfill Trump's central campaign promise to deport millions of illegal immigrants.
Within her own department, some reportedly view her as little more than a spokeswoman or 'face' of the operation.
Noem introduced herself to her new workforce by walking on stage at a town hall meeting to the country song 'Hot Mama', insiders claim.
Since then, she's made a series of changes which have ruffled feathers within the department, from pushing voluntary staff exits to implementing the use of lie detector tests to root out disloyal staff and leakers...
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