Little chance of family reunification

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First the child, then the rest of the family? Underage refugees are repeatedly suspected of being sent to Europe by their families in order to follow them through family reunification.

Lucia Della Torre (40) of the Swiss Refugee Aid defends herself against this accusation. “Unaccompanied minors apply for asylum because they seek and need protection in the first place,” she says. Young people are often not only sent on the run, but have lost their relatives on their way to Europe.

Refugees don’t know the rules

One thing is certain: the Swiss asylum law is strict. Even if a young person is temporarily taken in or even granted asylum: as a rule, they cannot take their parents and siblings with them. Many refugees are not aware of these rules. “After surviving a risky and dangerous escape, the disappointment later is all the greater,” writes the Swiss Red Cross in a current report on the subject.

Family reunification is only possible if the family members are already in an EU or EFTA country. Under certain circumstances, but not always, the next of kin can then come to the refugee in Switzerland.

The family members also have the option to apply for asylum themselves. If your children are admitted, there is a good chance that they will also be granted asylum. Due to the difficult situation in their home country, Afghans are usually admitted on a temporary basis.

Source:Blick