Illegal expatriates who had disappeared after inspection campaigns began on Nov. 4 have returned to the streets of Madinah.

Residency violators can be seen gathering in the Salam and Train Rail Roads and the Al-Khadieh neighborhood.

Arab News saw large numbers of foreigners gathered in the streets in search of work.

But Saudi citizens were wary of hiring illegals for fear of breaching the new labor laws and facing consequent punitive action.

The illegal expatriate work force, which has been made redundant, wants to go back to their home countries and the Madinah Immigration Administration is inundated with huge numbers of laborers seeking repatriation.

Men and women are camping on the pavement outside the administration's building, with some sleeping on-site.

“I came to the immigration administration wanting to travel to my country a couple of days ago. I am now waiting in front of the building to be fingerprinted,” said Sarour Ahmad.

Qamar Aldin Ahmad, another foreigner, said: “I have been waiting outside this building for more than a week now to record my biometrics so I can leave for my country, but dire overcrowding means that I have to wait a long time for my turn.”

Women, mostly from Asian countries, are also waiting to be voluntarily deported to their countries and can be seen sleeping on the pavements or in buildings near the administration building.