In the boom years of the post-war period, Switzerland developed into a country of immigration. The labor market and foreign police authorities at both the federal and cantonal levels tried to cope with the rapidly changing economic and social realities by striking a balance. They aimed to meet the increasing demand from employers for foreign workers while simultaneously keeping immigration under control to prevent "over-foreignization." Using Basel-Landschaft as an example, the canton with the strongest industrialization and population growth in the post-war period and the self-image of being the "development canton par excellence," the author explores the scope for action within the framework of federalism. He focuses on the actors of the cantonalized labor migration regime since 1945 and demonstrates the decisive influence of cantonal authorities and inter-cantonal conferences.