Key legal question
Whether family reunification can be granted despite the spouse's final criminal expulsion under Art. 55 CP.
Extracted holding
No. A final judicial expulsion bars the competent authorities from granting an aliens-law residence authorization; the spouse therefore cannot obtain residence through family reunification.
Extracted reasoning
When a final criminal expulsion is ordered under Art. 55 CP, cantonal and federal authorities lack discretion to grant an immigration permit. The only practical remedy is clemency or suspension of the expulsion, subject to the other legal conditions for residence.