Home Secretary Theresa May will this week seek the backing of MPs to tackle criminals who use human rights laws to avoid deportation.
The Sunday Times says she is expected to ask members to pass a motion declaring the right to a family life - enshrined in Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights - is not absolute.
Ms May wants the public interest to come first and the right to family life be superceded by the need to protect the economic wellbeing of the country, promote public safety and cut crime.
The move is likely to be seen as a direct challenge to judges who have previously interpreted Article 8 through the development of case law.
According to Home Office figures, last year 185 foreign prisoners successfully appealed against deportation after citing the right to family life.
Officials have indicated ministers could bring in new legislation to enforce the changes if judges fail to heed the views of Parliament.
The Sunday Times quotes a government aide as saying: "We expect the courts to take heed, but if they don't we will return with new measures which include the option of primary legislation."
The move comes as ministers prepare to impose a new "financial independence" rule intended to reduce the number of spouses, children and other dependants of migrants coming into the country.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "We will shortly be announcing a major overhaul of the existing family migration rules, to reduce burdens on the taxpayer, promote integration and tackle abuse.
"The reforms will protect the British public from foreign criminals who try to abuse human rights laws to avoid deportation.
"We plan to make it clear when the rights of the law abiding majority will outweigh a foreign criminal's right to family and private life."
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