Fewer clandestine immigrants in Switzerland

According to a report released by the State Secretariat for Migration on Monday, the number of clandestine immigrants residing in Switzerland is estimated to have decreased over the last decade.  The authorities concluded that the figure was close to the 76,000 mark in 2015, compared to around 90,000 individuals in 2005. The true figure is expected to be somewhere between 58,000 and 105,000 individuals.  Clandestine immigrants are those who come from outside the EU and do not have the right to remain in Switzerland. Around two-thirds are believed to have entered the country without the necessary documents or have overstayed their tourist visas. Close to 20% have expired residence permits (B and C permits) or have had their asylum requests rejected. Almost half of Switzerland’s clandestine immigrants are believed to reside in canton Zurich (28,000), followed by Fribourg (20,000), Geneva (13,000) and Vaud (12,000). Those from Asia and Africa are ...