The new amendments are aimed at combating illegal immigration, the use of illegal labor, and at the same time creating conditions for the integration of new - legal - residents of the country into Swiss society.
The amendments - if they are indeed adopted - will facilitate the process of family reunification in Switzerland, and together with obtaining a residence permit, an immigrant will gain the right to take state-funded language courses. This is where the generosity of Swiss lawmakers ends. All other measures are aimed at tightening the current system.
Thus, a two-tier immigration policy is being introduced. This means that on the Swiss labor market, people from EU countries and the European Free Trade Area will have an advantage; they make up approximately 46% of the country's foreign residents (in total, about one and a half million foreigners live in Switzerland, that is, a fifth of the total population).
As for people from other countries, only highly qualified professionals and specialists in a number of areas - agriculture, construction, tourism, and healthcare - will be allowed to work in Switzerland. An attempt to introduce seasonal work visas - for example, a six-month visa for the strawberry harvest period - was rejected.
The new law also provides for strict punishment for offenders. The period during which the authorities can hold illegal immigrants in detention will very likely be doubled and reach six months. This time will allow the authorities to better prepare for the deportation of violators. Fines may also be introduced. Airlines will pay them for bringing people without the necessary documents to Switzerland: 5,000 Swiss francs ($4,000) for each illegal immigrant. In addition, local authorities may refuse to register a marriage of a couple they suspect of marriage of convenience.
However, all this is only projects. Apparently, in the final version of the law, one should not expect any relief, but tightening is quite likely. For example, before sending the amendments to the Senate for discussion, Justice Minister Christoph Blocher intends to toughen the penalties provided for illegal immigrants and foreigners who have committed a criminal offense.