Dem Lawmakers Condemn Reality Show for Citizenship Project: 'A Sick Idea'

Democratic lawmakers condemned a proposed reality television show that would have immigrants compete in elimination challenges for a chance at U.S. citizenship after reports surfaced that the Department of Homeland Security was considering the proposa.

Texas Representative Joaquin Castro was among them, calling it "a sick idea." Speaking to MSNBC on Saturday, Castro said:

"During this Trump Administration, it seems like every day we lose more and more of our humanity. The idea that you would do a reality show and have people compete for citizenship, it's just sick, a sick idea."

The show, pitched by Canadian-born producer Rob Worsoff, has not been approved but is reportedly being reviewed by staff at the Department of Homeland Security. Worsoff described the project as a "celebration of America" during an interview with NewsNation this past weekend, adding that it aims to "put a face to immigration."

According to Worsoff, the concept involves pre-vetted immigrants traveling across the U.S. and participating in challenges, such as a pizza-making contest in New York or a rocket-launch in Florida. Each episode would feature a town hall-style vote in which local residents choose the contestant they most want to represent their state, with the winner ultimately being granted citizenship.

New York Representative Jerry Nadler echoed Castro's concerns when news came out, saying that "human lives are not game show props" and that the idea was "shameful and far beneath the dignity of your office," tagging Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Backlash from the leaked report about the show was almost immediate last week as The Huffington Post explained in a piece on Friday, with critics condemning the show as "unbelievably inhumanely cruel," "sick" and "macabre." One critic of the idea posted that:

"It's Hunger Games for green cards, human struggle turned into entertainment for billionaires. Dystopian. Dehumanizing. Disgraceful."