The case of a Swiss emigrant’s adopted daughter, who faces deportation, has caused a major stir. Swissinfo has now asked the authorities how descendants of Swiss expats can prove they are integrated in Switzerland. In October, Swissinfo and the Swiss German-language tabloid Blick reported on the story of Gabriela Purtschert, who grew up in Ecuador as the adopted daughter of a Swiss emigrant and was raised with Swiss culture and traditions. For 16 years, she has lived in Switzerland where she studied, earned a doctorate and worked for a federal research institute. But now, with her temporary work contract over and no new job lined up, she faces deportation. Purtschert does not hold a Swiss passport. The Zurich migration office revoked her residence permit claiming, among other reasons, that she was unable to prove “deeper integration”. Why Purtschert, who is fluent in Swiss German and the granddaughter of a Swiss cheesemaker, is deemed “not integrated” remains a mystery. The head of ...
