Zurich wants ID cards for all – even illegal immigrants
The Zurich city parliament has voted in favour of introducing identity cards for all residents, including so-called sans papiers - those who are in the country illegally.
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 groups was approved by 64 votes to 41 with 12 abstentions. The conservative right Swiss People’s Party, the centre-right Radical-Liberal Party, and the centre-right Protestant Party opposed the motion.
The so-called “Züri City Card” would allow residents to identify themselves to the authorities, in particular the police, say its backers. Supporters also want the card to allow holders access to public and private services without fear of arrest, as is done in New York.
In a position paper published in September, the Zurich city executive voted against this project.
“Creating the illusion of protection against the law on foreigners is dubious and could give undocumented migrants a false feeling of security,” the municipal officials said. It is estimated that Zurich has around 14,000 clandestine residents.
Other cities, like the Swiss capital Bern, are also considering introducing a similar “City Card”. The city of Geneva has gone further with its pilot Papyrus project that plans to regularise around 2,000 undocumented migrants provided they meet certain criteria.
More
More
A new life for 1,000 illegal immigrants in Geneva
This content was published on
Some 76,000 illegal and undocumented immigrants live in Switzerland. In 2015, Geneva launched a pilot project to go about regularising them.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
This content was published on
Czech President Petr Pavel and his wife, Eva Pavlova, arrived in Switzerland on Tuesday at the start of a two-day state visit.
Study shows proliferation of non-native plants is driver of insect invasions
This content was published on
A global study has revealed that insect invasions are being driven by the proliferation of non-native plants. This can can massively disrupt ecological processes, often leading to serious economic impacts.
Swiss set record for world’s longest hyperloop test
This content was published on
Swiss scientists have established a record for the longest-ever hyperloop journey at a facility in Lausanne, Switzerland.
This content was published on
The Swiss army wants to purchase new German armoured howitzers to replace its existing artillery system which has been in operation for over 50 years.
Poll suggests Donald Trump has many fans in Switzerland
This content was published on
Around a quarter of Swiss citizens would vote for Donald Trump if they had the chance, according to a recent poll. This percentage is higher than in many other European countries.
Swiss court rejects special assistance for student with disabilities
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Court has rejected an application for special assistance from a student with disabilities at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich.
Police arrest 15 drug dealers in Verbier in southern Switzerland
This content was published on
Swiss and French police have arrested 15 suspected drug dealers operating in the mountain resort of Verbier in southern Switzerland.
New European space tech centre in Switzerland launches its first project
This content was published on
The European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI), launched in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), is to be located in the immediate vicinity of the PSI in northern Switzerland.
Swiss Federal Railways launches campaign for safety on public transport
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Railways is launching a campaign for greater respect and safety on public transport, with posters to go up in stations and on trains starting next week.
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.
Read more
More
Most asylum-seekers unaccounted for after leaving Swiss centre
This content was published on
The majority of asylum-seekers who left a federal departure centre near Zurich have vanished without a trace, the Swiss government concluded.
‘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.
This content was published on
It is almost freezing cold on a foggy December afternoon in Geneva. The waiting room at the Community Care UnitExternal link (CAMSCO) of the Geneva University Hospital is full of people wanting an appointment. Some have come more than an hour before opening time. Few mind waiting, as it is a chance to get away…
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.