by Simon Bradley, swissinfo.ch

Should Switzerland give financial aid to rejected asylum seekers who refuse to leave or convicted illegal immigrants to encourage them to return home voluntarily?

This issue has been in the headlines after the government proposed to increase return assistance for illegal aliens to limit controversial deportation flights. A return project in Geneva aimed at North African immigrants is also gaining wider interest.

The cabinet on Wednesday launched a consultation process to reform financial aid for asylum seekers and refugees.

Among the proposals, illegal aliens held in administrative detention, who had previously refused to be deported, could now benefit from return assistance if they declared they were willing to leave under their own steam.

Illegal immigrants or rejected asylum seekers would receive a SFr500 ($547) “travel allowance” and SFr200 to transport baggage.

According to the Federal Migration Office, this would concern some 500 people and cost a total of SFr250,000.

Under the revised decree “particularly difficult” cases could also receive a SFr2,000 “departure allowance” to help them facilitate the organisation of travel documents.

Under the normal system rejected asylum seekers who have not committed any crimes or who agree to return home may receive return assistance worth SFr1,000 plus SFr3,000 for a professional project via a charity.

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Last year 9,641 asylum seekers were repatriated by plane, with 165 “involuntarily” on forced deportation flights (Keystone)