WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 15, 2025
— Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced today that she is halting all development of a proposed reality television series titled The American, which would have featured migrants competing in physical and endurance challenges for a chance at U.S. citizenship. The announcement marks a decisive shift away from what she acknowledged would have been an ethically troubling portrayal of vulnerable people seeking refuge and opportunity in the United States.
In a formal statement released by the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Noem said she had reconsidered the idea after extensive reflection and conversations with immigration advocates, faith leaders, and former asylum seekers.
“While my intention was to spark a national conversation about the values that define American identity, I now recognize that turning the migrant experience into a competition would have undermined the very humanity and dignity that should be at the center of our immigration system,” Noem said.
The American, an early-stage concept not yet greenlit for production, had been described by internal sources as a “patriotic test of grit and commitment,” in which selected participants would undergo physical and mental challenges to prove their desire to become American citizens. Though the idea was never publicly announced, it had drawn quiet concern from immigration policy experts inside and outside the department.
According to senior DHS officials, Noem began to reconsider the project after a series of off-the-record visits to humanitarian shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border, where she spoke directly with families fleeing violence, poverty, and political persecution.
“These stories weren’t abstract policy cases — they were deeply personal,” one official said. “And it became clear to her that reducing those stories to a format built for ratings would be inconsistent with our nation’s values.”
In her public remarks, Secretary Noem emphasized her continued commitment to a secure and lawful immigration system, but said that enforcement efforts must be balanced with a deep respect for the dignity of every person.
“Migrants are not props for entertainment or symbols in a political debate,” she said. “They are human beings — often fleeing unimaginable hardship — and our response must reflect both strength and compassion.”
Immigrant advocacy groups responded with a mix of relief and cautious optimism.
“This is the right decision, and we appreciate Secretary Noem’s willingness to step back and listen,” said Dr. Camila Reyes, director of the National Immigrant Justice Initiative. “Our immigration system should protect the vulnerable and honor our shared humanity — not turn people’s trauma into spectacle.”
The Department confirmed that no funding was allocated to the show and that all related discussions have ceased. Instead, Secretary Noem said DHS will refocus its public outreach efforts on education, transparency, and highlighting real stories of immigrants contributing to the fabric of American life.
“America has always been a nation shaped by those who come here seeking a better future,” Noem concluded. “It is our responsibility — and my responsibility as Secretary — to treat every person with fairness, dignity, and the respect they deserve.”
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