Brighton and Hove language schools are expected to lobby the government over tough new rules being proposed to restrict visas to those studying for a degree.
They will tell ministers that jobs will be lost locally if the proposals are not rethought.
The sector is worth more than £100 million to the economy of Brighton and Hove and the surrounding area.
The sum is made up of fees, rents – often to host families – and associated spending on everything from bus fares to food, drink, mobile phone top-ups, stationery and books for English lessons.
Yesterday the Home Secretary Theresa May told MPs how she intended to more than halve net migration from nearly 200,000 people a year within five years.
She said: “I will consult on restricting entry to only those studying at degree level but with some flexibility for highly trusted sponsors to offer courses at a lower level.
“Nearly half of all students coming here from abroad are actually coming to study a course below degree level and abuse is particularly common at these lower levels.
“A recent check of students studying at private institutions below degree level showed that a quarter could not be accounted for.
“Too many students, at these lower levels, have been coming here with a view to living and working, rather than studying.
“We need to stop this abuse.”
One language school employee in Brighton said: “This could cost a lot of jobs in Brighton and Hove and places like Hastings, Eastbourne and Worthing.
“It also affects places like Oxford, Bath and Bristol and, of course, London which are all attractive for foreign students.
Economic madness
“They pay a lot of money for courses and accommodation and their spending money is not insignificant for cafés, bars and restaurants, night clubs, cinemas … the list is pretty impressive.
“The politicians seem to be playing to the BNP end of the spectrum without really thinking things through.
“It’s economic madness to turn away so much money and the chance to give so many young people from abroad a favourable impression of our country.
“Even from a national security point of view, you want to win hearts and minds in the Middle East and Far East and this will just take away that opportunity.
“The bosses here have been thinking about how to at least persuade the government to water down their rather heavy-handed policies.
“It’s certainly time for our local MPs to show us what they’re made of.
“If sanity doesn’t prevail, there’s going to be a high price to pay.”
Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, raised the issue at a meeting with Conservative Immigration Minister Damian Green in July.
On Monday the Daily Telegraph quoted Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, a saying: “The UK remains one of the most popular destinations for foreign students because of our proud international reputation for excellence.
“We need to be able to offer places to the world’s best and brightest.
“The last thing we want to do is send a message to academics and students that they are not welcome here.
“Populist policies on immigration might play well domestically but on the global stage we risk looking foolish.”
