Cantons do not accept refugees during Christmas

Currently, about 7,000 refugees are housed in federal asylum accommodations. Because a large number of people seeking asylum and protection come to Switzerland, army halls had to be converted into temporary shelters for refugees to create more places.

Due to the holidays, some asylum seekers now have to stay there a little longer than usual. Six cantons do not accept refugees from the federal government during Christmas and New Year. Namely Zurich, St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Appenzell-Ausserrhoden and Glarus. No allocations would be made for these cantons “at their request and for their relief” until January 3, the State Secretariat for Migration said at Blick’s request.

To relieve the officers

The Conference of Social Directors of the Cantons of Eastern Switzerland and the Canton of Zurich had previously submitted a corresponding application to the Federal Ministry of Justice. They wanted to relieve the employees.

Refugees from Ukraine are usually distributed relatively quickly between the cantons and usually only stay for a few days in the federal asylum seekers centers. For asylum seekers it varies depending on their origin and the chance of asylum.

1000 more places

Because the federal government went on the offensive because of the large number of refugees, they have been assigned to the cantons earlier than usual since the end of October. In mid-December, the federal government was able to put an end to the early allocation.

There are currently about 3,000 free beds available in federal lodging, with an additional 1,000 beds to become available in the coming weeks. The army will provide extra space for this.