Every day we see images of people who have tragically lost their lives fleeing their homeland. But what does it mean to have to leave your home, job, family and country behind? EXILE IS NOT A HOLIDAY TRIP! Migrants are often disoriented and lost when they arrive needing to assert their rights. There are numerous obstacles, from the language barrier, via the complexity of administrative processes, to being unaware of current legislation.

​

Migrating is sometimes the only way to avoid persecution. But how can we ensure that people who have given up everything and find themselves in Switzerland can begin a new life and find a worthy place in society? Real integration for foreigners starts with the settlement of their legal status. First give me residence, above all settle my legal situation, then I will integrate myself into your society: I will learn your language, I will respect your laws, I will not cheat on public transport, I will eat salad and Swiss cheese fondue and I will no longer sell drugs and risk losing my residence permit. Hence the importance of legally integrating foreigners through the Law; this is the main objective of our association: "Integration through the Law". Our association is run mostly by people from migrant backgrounds or those interested in the cause of foreigners.

 

Migrant ARC-EN-CIEL is a consulting and legal assistance firm for foreigners created under Swiss law as an association within the meaning of Articles 60 and following the Swiss civil code. An independent, non-political and non-denominational association between charitable logic and humanitarian zeal. The goal of Migrant ARC-EN-CIEL is integrating foreigners using legal advice and assistance as well as all related activities authorised by the substantive law of Switzerland or the country where the the activity is taking place. This function of officers is prescribed by law and supplemented by the services of lawyers, lack of financial resources or confidence (for free public assistance) means applicants cannot benefit from or trust in the service. Asylum and migration is a slippery slope, an ambivalent legal-administrative architecture where appointed authorities continue frantically to make laws and take erosive measures.

​

Migrant ARC-EN-CIEL deals with the entry, presence and stay of foreign nationals in Switzerland: the ordinary system, the special system of agreements on the free movement of persons (ALCP), the special asylum system and the system of nationality for foreign nationals. Due to the transverse nature of the migration law, Migrant ARC-EN-CIEL intervenes from time to time in other branches of law, provided that they have a connection with the status of foreigners. Migrant ARC-EN-CIEL is thus a response to your questions and your legal troubles. A place for listening. Finally, we also take care of the integration of foreigners and the fight against racism. Detailed investigation into the applicant’s situation for a first assessment on what might be feasible and what chances for success can realistically be expected. Depending on the outcome Migrant ARC-EN-CIEL either takes over further proceedings or turns down any involvement.

​

Our main fields of intervention: personal counseling; Requests for Residence Permits (requests, refusals, non-renewals, cancelling); applications for family reunifications; proceedings to be granted asylum (preparing those involved for such hearings; if need be Migrant ARC-EN-CIEL is present at hearings to support its clients; keeping written and other contact with authorities; looking for/providing evidence, such as translation of relevant documents that will support statements made by Migrant ARC-EN-CIEL clients; requests for reopening procedures or the filing of appeals; appeals to State and/or NGO authorities with requests to intervene on behalf of Migrant ARC-EN-CIEL clients); applications to obtain Residence Permits (for limited or unlimited periods of time); applications to move from one Canton to another; applications by asylum seekers for a permit to extend their stay. New applications for asylum; data change requests in the ZEMIS system (changes or modifications to known identities), requests from the UN Committee against Torture or the European Court of Human Rights. All our work is strictly confidential. Re-integration in the Country of Origin (The purpose of return assistance is to foster the voluntary and mandatory return of rejected asylum seekers through a system of benefits).

​

You would like to support our work for refugees in Switzerland with a donation - Thank you very much! Donation Account:

 

Postfinance AG-Bern 

Account: 14-834926-2 

IBAN: CH09 0900 0000 1483 4926 2

5033 Buchs AG.