The Federal Customs and Border Security service said 7,891 people had been found living in Switzerland without authorisation. This is a monthly increase of more than 2,000 since September. In October 2021, border guards found 2,090 illegal immigrants.
Most of these people had arrived across Switzerland’s eastern and southern borders and mainly originated from Afghanistan and Tunisia.
Police are investigating 385 cases of suspected people smuggling in the first 10 months of year, of which 50 were reported in October.
Switzerland is already struggling to accommodate the rising numbers of refugees who properly register with the authorities when they enter the country.
The army has been forced to construct temporary accommodation while cantons have been asked to take care of a more refugees than in normal times.
The State Secretariat for Migration expects to handle 22,000 refugee applications by the end of the year, which is 7,000 more than during 2021.
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Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will not be flying to Tel Aviv up to and including June 8 due to the current situation in the Middle East.
Italy and Switzerland agree on taxation of cross-border workers
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The Italian government has approved the agreement with Switzerland on the taxation of so-called teleworking by cross-border commuters.
Nestlé water scandal: French state accused of cover-up
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In the scandal surrounding the illegal treatment of mineral water in France, there was reportedly a cover-up of unauthorised practices by Swiss food giant Nestlé.
Air fleet of Swiss administration deemed too large
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In the view of the Swiss Federal Audit Office, the size of the fleet should be reduced or the aircraft leased to improve cost-effectiveness.
MSC Cruises places CHF3 billion order for two more sea giants
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Italo-Swiss company MSC Crociere has confirmed an order to the Saint-Nazaire Atlantic Shipyards for two ships worth around €3.5 billion.
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Foreign children forced to grow up ‘in the closet’ call for apology
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Thousands of children of seasonal workers were not allowed to live with their parents in Switzerland – or did so illegally.
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Migration is one of the leading issues in the programmes of Swiss political parties as the country heads towards parliamentary elections in the autumn. Migration was also a major topic in debates at the World Social Forum which has just ended in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. The recent political turbulence in Tunisia has made the…
Swiss minister defends approach towards transiting migrants
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Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has rejected criticism that Swiss authorities are simply “waving migrants through” on the asylum route.
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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.