Most of those without valid papers were stopped in southern Switzerland: 4,832 in canton Ticino and 3,122 in canton Valais.
Regarding nationality, 2,433 people were from Nigeria, 1,176 from Gambia, 803 from Algeria, 792 from Morocco, 685 from Albania and 663 from Eritrea.
The previous year’s list was headed by people from Guinea, Nigeria and Gambia. In 2016, some 12,294 people had travelled from Eritrea alone.
More
More
‘Don’t come to Switzerland’ – the anti-tourism campaign
This content was published on
A Swiss-funded television series set in Nigeria paints a very different picture of Switzerland from the usual tourism campaigns.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
This content was published on
The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
This content was published on
Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
Student protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
Since Thursday, a hall on campus has been occupied by students calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Activists found guilty of helping migrants enter France illegally
This content was published on
A French court has found seven activists, including two Swiss nationals, guilty of helping migrants enter France illegally from Italy last spring.
Zurich wants ID cards for all – even illegal immigrants
This content was published on
On Wednesday, the city’s legislative body adopted a motion calling for all residents of the city, including undocumented migrants, to be able to obtain and use an identity card. The city council, which had opposed the idea, now has two years to draft a bill to this effect. The proposal by left-wing, environmental and alternative…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.