The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) announced on 17 December that it will launch a six-month pilot project in mid-2026 to create dedicated accommodation zones for asylum seekers who repeatedly disrupt operations at federal asylum centres. Under the scheme, adult men whose aggressive or violent behaviour has triggered multiple disciplinary incidents will be transferred to secure areas in the Chiasso (Ticino) and Grossaffoltern (Solothurn) centres. They will be subject to tighter security controls but will retain access to the same work programmes, legal counselling and opportunities to leave the facility during the day.
Switzerland runs eight federal centres that can house around 8,000 people at any one time. SEM officials say that while the vast majority of residents are cooperative, a small group—estimated at a few dozen nationwide—creates a disproportionate burden on staff, security contractors and other asylum seekers. By isolating trouble-makers, the authorities hope to relax the stringent security checks currently applied to everyone, thereby improving living conditions for compliant residents and reducing overtime costs for private security firms.
The pilot will be evaluated after six months. If successful, SEM plans to retrofit the remaining centres with similar segregated wings. That would require minor construction works—mostly reinforced doors, cameras and controlled access corridors—as well as additional staff training. SEM has not disclosed cost estimates, but migration-policy experts expect expenditure to be offset by lower damage, medical and policing bills.
![Switzerland to Pilot Segregated Housing for Disruptive Asylum Seekers]()
For organisations and individuals who need to travel to or through Switzerland for monitoring missions, corporate relocations or humanitarian work related to such migration initiatives, VisaHQ can simplify the visa process. Its dedicated Switzerland page (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) offers real-time guidance, document checklists and an intuitive online application system that minimises errors and saves valuable time—freeing stakeholders to focus on policy, compliance and duty-of-care considerations.
Human-rights NGOs have expressed cautious support, noting that the concept is more proportionate than blanket restrictions applied to entire centres. They will monitor whether the criteria for transfer are applied fairly and whether legal remedies exist for wrongly assigned residents. Labour unions representing centre staff welcome the measure, saying it could reduce sick leave caused by assaults and intimidation.
For companies that host asylum seekers on work-trial programmes or hire recognised refugees, calmer centres translate into a more reliable workforce. Global-mobility managers should monitor whether a nationwide rollout changes the availability of SEM-run integration activities that feed talent pipelines.
Switzerland runs eight federal centres that can house around 8,000 people at any one time. SEM officials say that while the vast majority of residents are cooperative, a small group—estimated at a few dozen nationwide—creates a disproportionate burden on staff, security contractors and other asylum seekers. By isolating trouble-makers, the authorities hope to relax the stringent security checks currently applied to everyone, thereby improving living conditions for compliant residents and reducing overtime costs for private security firms.
The pilot will be evaluated after six months. If successful, SEM plans to retrofit the remaining centres with similar segregated wings. That would require minor construction works—mostly reinforced doors, cameras and controlled access corridors—as well as additional staff training. SEM has not disclosed cost estimates, but migration-policy experts expect expenditure to be offset by lower damage, medical and policing bills.
For organisations and individuals who need to travel to or through Switzerland for monitoring missions, corporate relocations or humanitarian work related to such migration initiatives, VisaHQ can simplify the visa process. Its dedicated Switzerland page (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) offers real-time guidance, document checklists and an intuitive online application system that minimises errors and saves valuable time—freeing stakeholders to focus on policy, compliance and duty-of-care considerations.
Human-rights NGOs have expressed cautious support, noting that the concept is more proportionate than blanket restrictions applied to entire centres. They will monitor whether the criteria for transfer are applied fairly and whether legal remedies exist for wrongly assigned residents. Labour unions representing centre staff welcome the measure, saying it could reduce sick leave caused by assaults and intimidation.
For companies that host asylum seekers on work-trial programmes or hire recognised refugees, calmer centres translate into a more reliable workforce. Global-mobility managers should monitor whether a nationwide rollout changes the availability of SEM-run integration activities that feed talent pipelines.
