It has not. however. permanently blocked the return of Nicaraguan citizens. nor has it taken action against nonNicaraguans returning to Nicaragua from other countries. Neither has it revoked the citizenship of opposition leaders in exile. though it did begin criminal proceedings against a number of leaders of the armed opposition. The Government has. however. denied entry to several foreign priests. notwithstanding their possession of valid Nicaraguan visas. It also canceled the residence permits of 10 foreign priests in June and has refused to grant resideit status to other foreign priests working in Nicaragua. During 1984 thousands of Nicaraguans left the country. joining the tens of thousands who have abandoned the country since 1979.