Auboden, Switzerland, has just five houses and eight residents — but that may soon change dramatically, and locals aren’t happy. By the end of the year, up to 150 asylum seekers could be moved into the tiny settlement, raising serious concerns among the people who live there.
“We really have nothing against refugees. But 150 asylum seekers? In this small town? That’s simply too many!” said Daniel Grob, who lives in Auboden with his wife Gisela and their two children.
Earlier this year, the six adult residents were told that the Integration Projects Association of the Canton of St. Gallen (TISG) had bought buildings nearby that were going to close.
At first, locals supported the idea of giving homes to refugees who are allowed to stay in the country. “That was fine with us; refugees have to and are allowed to go somewhere,” said Grob. But then came the shock: “Suddenly, they said 150 people should come here. One hundred and fifty!”
