Non-Swiss citizens face automatic expulsion for fraud as well as violent crime.
Voters in Switzerland have approved a referendum proposal that would see non-Swiss citizens subject to automatic expulsion for crimes ranging from murder to social-security fraud.
A proposal, drawn up by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), was supported by 53% of voters in a referendum held on Sunday (28 November).
Critics of the proposal argue it would discriminate against, for example, the Swiss-born children of immigrants to Switzerland, who do not have an automatic right to Swiss citizenship.
The Swiss government recommended voters reject the SVP’s proposal. It is worried that automatic deportation could infringe the country’s international commitments on free movement and civil rights, including a deal with the EU.
It proposed an alternative system in which international law would take precedence.