The basic message: foreigners leave $10 billion in France each year.

A few dozen such foreigners left the country before borders were closed today.

As soon as the foreigners had left town, the signs went up again.

Still, even if many foreigners left, others wandered back.

"Before the foreigners leave, they have to destroy the army," he said.

"All foreigners left this morning after we closed the offices."

More than half a million other foreigners have also left and are not expected to return.

Normally in such cases, the immigration courts order the foreigners to leave within a few weeks of their hearings.

Although by that time many foreigners were already leaving the country, Karen and her husband decided to stay.

Once their work is completed, foreigners immediately leave the country.