Immigration
Latest news and information on immigration, migration, immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
UN rights chief troubled by new EU migrant return rules
The UN rights chief said on Saturday he deeply regretted the European Union's new migration rules, which allow much broader detention powers and the creation of deportation centres outside the bloc.
EU lawmakers give final approval for deportation centres outside bloc
European lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to tougher migration rules that will grant authorities much broader detention powers and allow for the creation of deportation centres outside the bloc.
TIMELINE: When would Switzerland’s population cap initiative be triggered?
If the hard-right’s anti-immigration bid is approved at the ballot box on June 14th, when would the Swiss government enact the initiative into new law?
Switzerland divided: Four perspectives on Sunday's anti-immigration vote
Switzerland's vote on proposed measures to restrict immigration to ensure the population does not exceed 10 million is dividing the country.
'A wake up call': Switzerland pays price for not preparing for population growth
The far-right’s ‘No to 10 million’ initiative, to be voted on in Sunday's referendum, is the result of the Swiss government’s failure to prepare the country’s infrastructure for the significant population spurt, an expert has claimed.
'Chaos initiative': Swiss business and union leaders unite against immigration cap
Swiss business leaders and unions are mobilising ahead of a vote Sunday on capping immigration, which has triggered fears of dire impacts on employment and trade relations with the European Union.
Could EU nationals rush to move to Switzerland if population cap is triggered?
On June 14th, Swiss voters will decide whether to accept the hard-right initiative that seeks to stop population growth by limiting the number of immigrants from the EU allowed to work and live in the country. But could the ‘yes’ vote trigger a ‘preemptive’ migration surge?
How would travel to and from Switzerland be hit if Swiss have to break ties with EU?
A win for the ‘No to 10 million’ initiative in a referendum on June 14th would in years to come impact many aspects of life in Switzerland. But what about cross-border travel with Switzerland's neighbours?
Switzerland to take part in EU scheme to send migrants to 'return hubs'
The Swiss government will have to create a legal basis for establishing migrant hubs outside Europe where rejected asylum seekers would be sent.
A 'turn towards hate': 'No to 10 million' vote sparks fear among Switzerland's foreigners
With referendum day fast approaching, we asked readers of The Local what worries they have about Switzerland's upcoming 'No to 10 million' vote. Whilst many said they were not concerned about others worried about their future in the country.
Switzerland’s anti-immigration initiative looks likely to fail, latest polls show
New polls have revealed that two weeks before the June 14th referendum, Swiss voters look set to narrowly reject the controversial 'No to 10 million' initiative.
Why the Swiss anti-immigration vote is a 'threat to anyone working in Switzerland'
The hard-right initiative seeking to curb the number of foreigners employed in Switzerland would have dire consequences for the country, its opponents have told The Local.
Who are the Swiss voters who will vote 'yes' to capping immigration?
Some polls show that the ‘No to 10 million’ initiative could win by a narrow margin. Who in Switzerland is in favour of the hard-right proposal?
Could the knife attack impact Switzerland's crucial anti-immigration vote?
With the referendum on Switzerland's controversial anti-immigration proposal soon approaching, new polling data shows that voter sentiment is shifting and experts warn the Winterthur knife attack could have an impact.
Foreign residents in Switzerland targeted by fake expulsion letters - again
A number of foreign nationals have received official-looking letters lately, telling them they must leave Switzerland by the end of the year.
Swiss divided as anti-immigration population cap vote nears
The Swiss will vote next month on an initiative to cap the population at 10 million -- an anti-immigration proposal that is fracturing public opinion in the wealthy Alpine nation.
Are language tests in Europe a valuable integration policy or just political posturing?
With governments across Europe tightening citizenship and residency requirements, language and country knowledge tests are often framed as measures of integration. But are governments really talking to domestic political audiences?
Why Switzerland’s population may never reach the 10-million mark
The aim of the hard-right’s initiative to cap immigration is to prevent Switzerland’s population from growing to 10 million residents. But a demographer says this threshold will likely never be reached even if no cap is enforced.
'Trend will continue': Number of people refused entry to Europe sees sharp rise
The number of people refused entry to the EU and Schengen area has risen dramatically, according to new statistics, while thousands of US, UK and Indian nationals have been found to be illegally present in EU/Schengen countries.
Swiss government spells out the good and the bad of the 'No to 10 million' proposal
Switzerland’s government has outlined not only the downsides it sees if the ‘No to 10 million’ initiative passes in June, but also some potentially positive aspects of the proposal.
'We wanted to stay': Why some foreigners in Switzerland have to leave
The number of foreign residents who leave Switzerland to return home is well above the EU average. There are many reasons for that, including no longer having a work permit.
‘Have more children’: How Switzerland’s hard-right wants to compensate for fewer immigrants
If the proposal to cut immigration is accepted by Swiss voters, the subsequent demographic shift would impact the country’s labour shortage and pension fund reserves. But the move’s instigators say those consequence an be avoided.
OPINION: Swiss voters appear to have been taken in by rightwing scare tactics
Swiss voters look set to back a controversial proposal aimed at cutting immigration that could send shock waves through Switzerland and the EU. Editor Helena Bachmann says Swiss voters appear to have fallen victim to scare tactics.