Refugees hit WW2 levels

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The flow of asylum seekers into the country is now being compared to the level of people Switzerland took in during the Second World War.

The authorities are dealing with 800 applications a week. 

While the numbers have been swelled by those from Ukraine, 70,000 have arrived since the start of the war – there has also been an increase of others from elsewhere – such as Kurds from Turkey and Afghans.

The State Secretariat for Migration says there haven’t been so many since World War II. 

The federal processing centres are overflowing and applicants are being sent to the cantons far earlier than normal – especially those whose applications have failed and are on a deportation list.  

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