Pressure from federal asylum centers – Asylum policy: The discussion revolves around these changes – News

What is it about? At the beginning of February, the Neuchâtel cantonal government informed the Federal Council that it wanted to terminate the agreement for the Boudry federal asylum center early if there were no improvements. The population of the community is reaching its limits due to many difficult incidents. Justice Minister Beat Jans has now announced that “the cantons and the federal government want to re-discuss the key parameters of asylum policy”. On Tuesday, Jans presented tightening measures in the asylum area during a visit to the federal asylum center in Chiasso.

What is meant by “rediscussing the key values ​​of asylum policy”?


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According to the Secretariat for Migration (SEM), this is particularly about emergency planning. For example, questions such as: How many accommodation places does the federal government provide if the number of new asylum applications continues to be high?

The so-called “suitability for fluctuations” should also be discussed. This means that the centers can cope well with the fluctuations in the number of asylum applications, so that accelerated asylum procedures are possible even in the event of a large wave.

It is also a question of whether there is still room for improvement in the cooperation between the federal government, cantons and municipalities. So there are still a few questions to be answered.

What plans does Beat Jans have for asylum policy? From April onwards, a 24-hour procedure will apply throughout Switzerland: within this period, the essential clarifications should be carried out for people who have little prospect of asylum. When it comes to “intensive offenders”, i.e. (often rejected) asylum seekers who have committed multiple criminal offenses, the federal government and the cantons should now work together through “case management” to ensure that no further offenses are committed – for example with the help of administrative detention. In Ticino, unaccompanied 16 and 17 year olds are now being taught and job percentages are being created for employment programs.

Legend:

Appearance at the Federal Asylum Center Chiasso: Beat Jans comes up with a bouquet of announcements. (Image: 19.02.2.204)

KEYSTONE / Ti-Press / PABLO GIANINAZZI

What is new compared to the asylum policy under Baume-Schneider? The 24-hour procedure was already planned under the EJPD predecessor Baume-Schneider and tested as a pilot project in Zurich. The other suggestions, such as case management, are new. Baume-Schneider was also sometimes accused of not reacting quickly enough in asylum policy. Beat Jans apparently doesn’t want to burden himself with this criticism. At least Jans is making good progress with announcements, almost two months after taking office.

What are federal asylum centers responsible for? There are six asylum regions in Switzerland. Each has a federal asylum center with a procedural function and several other federal asylum centers. For those with procedural functions, the asylum applications are submitted, examined and the Secretariat for Migration (SEM) decides – and if possible in an accelerated procedure, i.e. in a maximum of 140 days. The asylum centers without a procedural function are for people who usually have to leave Switzerland again after a short time, for example because of a rejected asylum application.

Difference to cantonal asylum accommodation


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Complex asylum applications that require more time to process are assigned to the cantons for the so-called “extended procedure”. Those affected spend the time until the decision is made in cantonal collective accommodation. This can take up to a year.

In addition, rejected asylum seekers are accommodated collectively in the cantons and are subject to expulsion from the federal asylum center was not possible on time. In such cases, accommodation usually takes place in emergency centers.

Ultimately, the cantons are responsible for the accommodation and care of recognized refugees and temporarily admitted persons. In some cantons they must first stay in asylum accommodation before they can move into their own apartment.

How many federal asylum centers are there in total? In addition to the six federal asylum centers with procedural functions, there are 13 other federal asylum centers. There are also two positions at Geneva and Zurich airports. Finally, there is a “special center” for asylum seekers who pose a significant threat to public safety and order. A second such center is planned in German-speaking Switzerland.

How big can federal asylum centers be? A federal asylum center should have space for at least 250 residents. However, criticism came from the canton of Neuchâtel that the Boudry center with 480 places was too big. In the last two years, over 7,000 asylum seekers have passed through the center, out of a population of 6,000 people. According to the NZZ The SEM considers downsizing the center to be of little use. It relies on accelerated asylum procedures in a few but large asylum centers.

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