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.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
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.