Abstract:
The return of Ethiopian migrants from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since November, 2013 is
unique, which is forced and unjust one. The massive deportation in the pretext of “irregular
migrants” has been creating several critical social problems on returnees. The forced and
massive reintegration is both a challenge for the returnees, the family, community and the
home country at large. This study explores the living conditions of women deportees and their
reintegration experiences, returning from Saudi Arabia. A mixed research approach using
survey study design and sequential way of collecting data was employed. Quantitative and
qualitative data analysis methods were used to describe the overall life situations and
reintegration of individual lived experiences of these women returnees. The study found out
that the socio-economic status of returnees was highly deteriorated after return compared with
pre- and during migration. One of the main challenges of returnees was unemployment. The t test showed that the mean income of respondents after deportation was declined compared
with the mean of monthly income in Saudi Arabia. The findings also depicted housing
condition, unemployment, and isolation were challenges which hinder to reintegrate with their
communities and start a settled life. To this end, the researcher found out that the reintegration
process was not successfully achieved as expected.