University lecturers are considering a boycott of government rules that they say would turn them into "immigration snoopers" on foreign students.

Ministers introduced a new points-based immigration system for non-EU staff and students in April as part of its drive to combat terrorism. Students will have to carry biometric identity cards, while universities must check students' bona fides and monitor and report any unexplained absences to the Home Office.

Lecturers at the University and College Union (UCU) annual conference, starting in Bournemouth , will argue that the system turns "educators into immigration snoopers" and could irreparably damage the reputation of UK higher education.

A motion put forward by a UCU regional branch argues that the new arrangements mean staff are in effect signed up as "Home Office agents" to carry out policing and surveillance work, and warns that lecturers could be liable to fines and possible jail sentences if they fail to comply.

Hundreds of thousands of overseas students come to the UK each year to study, an influx that generates about £8.5bn for the UK economy. Lecturers claim the new regulations will put off overseas students, damaging the international status of educational institutions.

The motion calls for the "discriminatory" rules to be scrapped.

If the motion is passed, UCU officials will be asked to campaign to repeal both the regulations and the overseas student identity cards.

Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said: "Politically, UCU is absolutely opposed to this legislation and we know that many members have strong and principled moral objections as members of society and as professional educators.