Over 80% of North African asylum seekers face criminal allegations in Switzerland

More than 80% of asylum seekers from North Africa in Switzerland were accused of at least one criminal offence during their procedure or after receiving a negative decision, SRF reported, citing an internal document from the State Secretariat for Migration that it has also seen.

The figures cover 2024 and show that North African asylum seekers were involved in criminal offences more than six and a half times as often as asylum seekers from other countries.

Journalist and Maghreb expert Beat Stauffer said he did not believe most young men arrived in Switzerland intending to steal or sell drugs. Rather, many knew they had little chance of receiving asylum but believed they could find a way to remain in Switzerland or another European country.

Stauffer said that, until recently, many North Africans had been able to stay in Europe despite receiving negative decisions. He cited Italy as an example, saying that authorities had often issued deportation orders while allowing people to travel on or work illegally.

Some asylum seekers file applications to gain several months, hoping to make new contacts, receive help from acquaintances, find illegal work or meet a woman in Switzerland, Stauffer said. The strategies are widely shared on social media by North African influencers. In extreme cases, he said, people resort to theft.

Switzerland plans faster action

Switzerland has operated a faster 24 hour asylum procedure for North African asylum seekers for the past two years. The government also plans to detain asylum seekers who commit offences more quickly.

Further proposals include a preliminary procedure to prevent people with no chance of receiving asylum from filing an application, as well as shorter periods between a negative asylum decision and deportation.

Increasing numbers of North African asylum seekers are minors. Stauffer said parents were aware that it was becoming more difficult for adults to obtain asylum in Europe and therefore sent their teenage children. Minors have so far had better chances of remaining and possibly starting vocational training.

Migration to Europe is also a family project, Stauffer said. Whether minors or adults, migrants are expected to send money to their families as quickly as possible. Those who fail are seen as losers, while minors have better opportunities at the start.

Returns remain difficult because rejected asylum seekers may disappear or cannot be identified for a long time. Those who are eventually returned are registered in their country of origin and often sent home. Stauffer said the disappointment over their failure can be so great that some young men try to migrate again and again.