Act on the Integration of the Migrant Population (Integrationsgesetz) - Objectives

1. The aim of this law is to promote a harmonious coexistence based on mutual respect between the native population and the migrant population. The foundation is the Swiss legal system, particularly its fundamental values.

2. This law seeks to ensure equal opportunities for the migrant population. They shall be enabled to participate in economic, social, and cultural life.

1. Integration is a societal process that includes both the native population and the immigrant population. Integration measures pertain to the individual.

2. The immigrant population within the meaning of this law includes foreign persons who have migrated to the Canton of Basel-Stadt and are long-term and legally present, as well as their descendants, provided they require integration support.

1. Integration Support Begins Upon Arrival.

2. Integration Requires Both the Willingness and Commitment of the Migrants to Assimilate into the Society and the Openness of the Local Population.

3. Migrants Are Obligated to Engage with the Local Social Conditions and Living Situations and to Acquire the Necessary Language Skills.

4. In the Promotion of Integration, the Cantonal Authorities Collaborate with the Municipalities, the Civic Communities, the Social Partners, the Publicly Recognized and Cantonal Churches and Religious Communities, the Research and Teaching Institutions, Counseling Centers, and Private Organizations, Particularly Migrant Organizations.

1. The canton and the local municipalities take into account the integration objectives in fulfilling their tasks. They create favorable conditions for equal opportunities, participation, and the co-responsibility of migrants in social life, and for the involvement of migrants in the implementation of integration promotion.

2. In the implementation of integration promotion, they ensure the actual equality of women and men and take into account the specific requirements of integrating families, educators, children, and adolescents.

3. They particularly promote language acquisition, career advancement, health care, and measures aimed at improving mutual understanding between natives and migrants and achieving harmonious coexistence.

3bis. The canton ensures a needs-based variety of language and integration courses. It offers newly arrived migrants a free language course during their first year of residence in Switzerland. The costs for additional language or integration courses are determined based on the financial circumstances of the participants.

4. The canton works to prevent and combat discrimination against both migrants and natives.

5. The canton ensures the training of canton employees who are tasked with implementing the promotion measures.

6. Employers inform their foreign employees about the opportunities for integration promotion. They support the attendance of language and integration courses within their means.

7. Non-working individuals, particularly women, are informed by the canton about integration promotion opportunities and are supported in language acquisition.

1. The issuance and each renewal of a residence permit may be linked to an integration agreement to achieve integration objectives. In the case of significant integration deficiencies, an integration agreement must be concluded unless other immigration-related measures are indicated.

2. The integration agreement includes

a) the specific integration goal with the obligation to attend a language course or the obligation to participate in another integration measure; and

b) the consequences in the event that the agreed measures are not fulfilled.

3. Compliance with the integration agreement is taken into account in the issuance, renewal, or revocation of the residence or settlement permit.

1. The canton grants contributions for the integration of the migrant population. In assessing these contributions, it particularly takes into account the financial participation of municipal communities, the federal government, and third parties.

2. Users of state-sponsored language and integration courses contribute appropriately to the course costs, taking into consideration their financial circumstances.

3. The canton and the municipal communities may enter into service agreements with each other and with third parties for the implementation of integration measures.

1. The Canton, in cooperation with the municipal communities, ensures the provision of information to migrants about the living conditions in the Canton, particularly concerning their rights and obligations, as well as the societal rules.

2. Newcomers are informed about existing opportunities for integration promotion.

3. The Canton informs the population about the integration policy and the situation of both the local residents and the migrant population.

1. As part of an individual introductory meeting, incoming migrants who register in person at the residents' office receive the information according to § 7 para. 1.

1. Regarding the initial extension of their residence permit, migrants may be invited to an integration meeting.

2. The content of the integration meeting includes case-specific advice or information about the requirements for the extension of the permit. The extension of the permit may be conditioned upon attending a language or integration course.

3. Migrants invited to the integration meeting are obliged to participate in the meeting. Participation is a condition for the permit extension. Higher law provisions remain reserved.

1. The Cantonal Government oversees the cantonal integration measures.

2. The competent Department coordinates the measures of the cantonal authorities for integration and ensures the exchange of information and experience with the municipal communities and the Canton of Basel-Landschaft.

3. The competent Department designates a contact point for the federal authorities on integration matters.

1. The competent department examines the development and effectiveness of the support measures and submits proposals to the government council for their optimization. The results of the examination are to be published regularly.

1. The authorities of the canton work closely with the canton of Basel-Landschaft to achieve the integration goals.

1. The Government Council issues the provisions required for execution.

1. This Act is to be published; it is subject to a referendum. Once it becomes legally binding, the government council shall determine the effective date.