For years, the northern port town of Calais has been a kind of haven for immigrants fleeing war or poverty.

Now French riot police are starting to clear the camps -- just days after the anti-immigrant National Front party hammered the ruling Socialists in a European election.

The evictions are being denounced by local rights groups.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) COORDINATOR FOR NGO DOCTORS OF THE WORLD CECILE BOSSY SAYING:

"It will mean that some of them will wander in town and their health conditions will become worse. We say that this policy of repression and evictions is useless. It leaves them in hardship and puts their health at risk."

They also say they will be of little help.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) COORDINATOR FOR NGO DOCTORS OF THE WORLD CECILE BOSSY SAYING:

"This will just move the problem to the other side of the road."

The operation comes on the heels of the European Parliament elections, where the National Front took one in four votes to