For Love or Citizenship

The only reason I exist today is because my dad got on a plane in the Philippines and decided to come to America. He met my mom at a bus stop, fell in love, and a little while later their bouncing bundle of red faced, screaming joy came along. I guess you could say I’m a product of immigration, but I imagine a lot of us already are.

The immigration debate has been a heavy one. From politicians to the everyday citizen, ask anyone and they probably have an opinion on the matter.

I never would have imagined immigration making its way into the reality television world. Frankly, anything that enters the realm of T.V. shows that remotely resembles The Hills – you’re sort of asking to get served a plate full of crap.

According to Reuters, a company in Los Angeles is trying to sell a new reality show to the television networks. The hook? Just think of the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” and “The Dating Game” -- then think, “Who wants to Marry a U.S. Citizen?” That’s right. If reality television hasn’t hit the lowest of the low this show will certainly set them over the edge.

The goal of the show is to take the national interest of immigration and blend it into the reality T.V. melting pot.

The show’s host, Angelo Gonzales, said the show is meant to play matchmaker for both U.S. citizens and immigrants looking for a spouse.

I don’t see how anyone cannot be skeptical about this sort of show. Either the producers have an honest to God interest in getting people together from different countries, or it is a mass marketing tool to show just how desperate a person could be to get into the country.

Love may have no borders, but that doesn’t mean it has to be exploited via reality television.

-- Eming Piansay