Migration Federal government records more illegal stays again in July

Irregular migration to Switzerland increased again in July of this year. Compared to the previous month, around 500 more illegal stays were recorded, as the federal government announced on Thursday.

According to the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS), a total of 2,354 such illegal stays were registered in July. The irregular border crossings continued to take place primarily at the southern border in Ticino, where there was an increase of around 500 cases compared to June. The highest number of irregular migrants were Syrian nationals, according to the report.

In the area of suspected smuggling activities, the figures were practically the same as in the previous month and in the same period last year. In the same periods, there were fewer handovers of irregular migrants to foreign authorities.

The number of irregular entries into Switzerland in July 2024 was also significantly lower than in July of the previous year. According to the FOCA, almost 3,700 irregular arrivals were recorded at that time - around 1,300 more than this year.

SDA