Student Unions Short on Options as Trump Targets Protesters

Unions representing thousands of student employees are finding themselves in a precarious position as they seek to protect members from the Trump administration’s crackdown on activities it has labeled antisemitic.

Universities have continued disciplinary proceedings for students involved in widespread pro-Palestine protests last year—suspending and expelling hundreds nationwide—while the government threatens to pull hundreds of millions of dollars in higher education funding if they don’t comply with the president’s directives.

The administration has also increased scrutiny on foreign students, withdrawing visas from at least 300 and arresting others, further stoking student union concerns.

Only six months ago, unions had been ...