Swiss asylum applications fell in first half of year

Significantly fewer asylum applications were submitted in Switzerland in the first half of 2026 than in the same period last year. Some 9,734 people applied for asylum - a drop of 16%. In June 2026, 1,777 asylum applications were lodged, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) announced. This was 20% fewer than in June last year, but 9% more than in the previous month, May. The SEM attributed the year-on-year decline to lower arrival figures in southern Italy and fewer applications from…