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Swiss lawmakers urge tougher stance with criminal asylum seekers

Switzerland must be stricter with criminal asylum seekers
Switzerland must be stricter with criminal asylum seekers Keystone-SDA

The Swiss Senate wants to tighten laws to both restrict the movement of asylum seekers being investigated for crimes and to expel the guilty.

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Senators approved two bills to this effect follwowing a similar vote in the House of Representatives. But the Senate narrowly rejected the idea of systematic border controls.

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Senators approved, by 30 votes to 10, a motion calling for the systematic expulsion of asylum seekers and holders of residence permits who are criminals.

They also accepted, by 28 votes to 11, a motion to systematically restrict the freedom of movement of asylum seekers as soon as criminal proceedings are initiated against them.

On the other hand, the Senate narrowly refused, by 20 votes to 17, to make border controls systematic. Senators prefer a more flexible committee motion, which has been passed by the House of Representatives.

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Translated from French with DeepL/mga

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