Bern, Switzerland (TSR/ats, Fre) – Switzerland’s upper house of Parliament 25 May voted 27-12 to restrict marriage in Switzerland to people who are in the country legally. The lower house had earlier approved the measure, which will now become law.

Foreigners will need a residence permit or a valid visa under the revised civil code. The new law also provides for civil registry officials to inform the police of  any illegal resident attempting to contract marriage. The measure was taken to prevent illegal residents from marrying legal residents in order to avoid being deported.

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