Cultura y noticias hispanas del Valle del Hudson
Nearly a Decade of Solidarity: New Leadership at UIDN
Por Nohan Meza
November 2025The Ulster Immigrant Defense Network (UIDN) began in 2017 as a response to an urgent moment. In the words of Father Frank Alagna, one of UIDN’s founders: “No one should live in fear because of where they were born, the documents they hold, or the language they speak.” From Kingston, this effort expanded into a network of 400 volunteers offering legal support, food, transportation, and companionship to more than 4,000 immigrant families. In 2025, Alagna bids farewell, leaving behind a legacy of solidarity, as the organization opens a new chapter with its first Executive Director, immigration attorney Víctor Cueva.
Since its inception, UIDN has operated less like an institution and more like a coalition. In his farewell letter, Alagna reminded readers that the network “was never the project of one person or the mission of a single institution.” Rather, it was a broad community response, united by the desire to support immigrant neighbors.
A native of Ulster County, Daniel Woodham—one of UIDN’s two caseworkers for the past four years—explained what the organization does for the immigrant community: “We have a weekly food pantry. We connect people with immigration attorneys and other lawyers for legal matters. Volunteers help with transportation to medical and court appointments, intervene in schools when families have issues, help people find apartments, settle in, provide interpretation, and obtain basic furniture.”
María Espinal, who first joined as a volunteer and now works part-time as a caseworker, emphasized the personal side: “I’m an immigrant myself. UIDN’s work is essential for me and for my own life journey.”
Woodham elaborated on the interpretation services available: “Currently, I can offer French to English, Spanish to English, and a bit of Q’eqchi’. María can translate from Spanish to English. And within the community, we have volunteers who can translate from Q’eqchi’ to English, Q’eqchi’ to Spanish, and Spanish to English. Some volunteers speak another language as well, but those are the main ones.”
For families, this makes a tangible difference. A woman from the Q’eqchi’ community shared her experience: “I was going through very difficult times and turned to them [UIDN] when I needed a consultation with a lawyer and also when I was short on rent money—they helped me.” She also pointed out how easy it is to be misunderstood or treated differently without proper language access: “I’m grateful that I speak English, but what would have happened to me if I didn’t?”
Budget changes have also affected available services. Espinal noted that several organizations offering free legal advice have closed, so UIDN is trying to fill that gap with limited resources. The organization has responded with Know Your Rights sessions and new partnerships with attorneys.
Despite these challenges, the political climate has inspired more volunteers. “The number of people joining as new volunteers has nearly doubled since the elections,” Woodham said. “And it’s not slowing down. Ulster County remains under an executive order, established by former County Executive Pat Ryan in 2019, instructing local agencies not to ask for or share immigration information, and prohibiting immigration agents from using county property without a judge’s order.”
In an interview with La Voz, Alagna underscored the importance of collaboration and community work—and the risks of isolation: “The bubbles of isolation we live in today are not effective for creating a better tomorrow.” Over the years, UIDN has relied on community support and resilience. In his farewell letter, he expressed hope “that the work continues, that the welcomes grow ever larger, and that we never forget that the measure of our humanity is not found in how we treat the powerful, but in how we honor the foreigner among us.”
After studying at SUNY Ulster, SUNY Albany, and Cardozo School of Law, Cueva began his career in 2015 with the Immigrant Justice Corps program. He recently directed that same program, supervising more than 200 young attorneys nationwide—an experience he considers a full-circle moment.
Despite that national role, Cueva felt drawn back to the Hudson Valley, where his parents still live and where he first settled after emigrating from Peru. During his first days at UIDN, that need became clear. In a board meeting, news came of an ICE arrest in Kingston. Cueva joined a social worker to support the family. “It reminded me why I started—to bring legal knowledge and personal experience to people when they need it most.”
In the long term, UIDN’s first executive director wants to establish a full-time immigration legal service within the organization. Such a program would fill a critical local gap, since many families must travel to New York City or Albany for representation.
He also hopes to formalize UIDN’s holistic approach. Currently, much of the support—like transportation, furniture donations, and translation—depends on volunteers and is somewhat irregular. With more funding, he hopes to create dedicated positions for case management, social work, and even educational tutoring for immigrant youth in local schools.
“If money weren’t an issue,” said Cueva, “I’d love for UIDN to become the immigrant services hub of Ulster County—a place where families know they can find help with food, housing, legal matters, and more.”
UIDN’s future, like its past, will depend on community support. Father Frank ended his letter with gratitude and a call to action: “I leave knowing the work is not finished, but also knowing that the foundation is strong. UIDN will continue to be a sanctuary of resistance and refuge, a beacon of welcome and justice.”
Contact:
ulsterimmigrantdefensenetwork.org
Helpline: (888) 726-7276
back to top
COPYRIGHT 2025
La Voz, Cultura y noticias hispanas del Valle de Hudson
A native of Ulster County, Daniel Woodham—one of UIDN’s two caseworkers for the past four years—explained what the organization does for the immigrant community: “We have a weekly food pantry. We connect people with immigration attorneys and other lawyers for legal matters. Volunteers help with transportation to medical and court appointments, intervene in schools when families have issues, help people find apartments, settle in, provide interpretation, and obtain basic furniture.”
María Espinal, who first joined as a volunteer and now works part-time as a caseworker, emphasized the personal side: “I’m an immigrant myself. UIDN’s work is essential for me and for my own life journey.”
Considering Cultural and Linguistic Needs
Ulster County’s immigrant community is diverse, with a significant number of Q’eqchi’-speaking residents—a Mayan language from Guatemala and Belize. In the early years, language access was a major challenge. Over time, the network recruited volunteers capable of interpreting between Q’eqchi’, Spanish, and English, ensuring families could communicate without being misunderstood or ignored.Woodham elaborated on the interpretation services available: “Currently, I can offer French to English, Spanish to English, and a bit of Q’eqchi’. María can translate from Spanish to English. And within the community, we have volunteers who can translate from Q’eqchi’ to English, Q’eqchi’ to Spanish, and Spanish to English. Some volunteers speak another language as well, but those are the main ones.”
For families, this makes a tangible difference. A woman from the Q’eqchi’ community shared her experience: “I was going through very difficult times and turned to them [UIDN] when I needed a consultation with a lawyer and also when I was short on rent money—they helped me.” She also pointed out how easy it is to be misunderstood or treated differently without proper language access: “I’m grateful that I speak English, but what would have happened to me if I didn’t?”
Supporting Through Political Uncertainty
Espinal highlighted UIDN’s family preparedness workshops as a response to increasing ICE activity. “We’re asking a parent to think about who would care for their children if, God forbid, they didn’t come home that night. It’s a kind of conversation that should never be necessary—but today, it’s urgent.”Budget changes have also affected available services. Espinal noted that several organizations offering free legal advice have closed, so UIDN is trying to fill that gap with limited resources. The organization has responded with Know Your Rights sessions and new partnerships with attorneys.
Despite these challenges, the political climate has inspired more volunteers. “The number of people joining as new volunteers has nearly doubled since the elections,” Woodham said. “And it’s not slowing down. Ulster County remains under an executive order, established by former County Executive Pat Ryan in 2019, instructing local agencies not to ask for or share immigration information, and prohibiting immigration agents from using county property without a judge’s order.”
Leadership Transition
In September, Father Frank Alagna announced his retirement from the organization’s leadership and praised the “volunteers—hundreds of you over the years, now more than 400—who have been the lifeblood of this network. I’ve seen you load coats into your cars, open your homes, and stay up late to offer comfort and hope.”In an interview with La Voz, Alagna underscored the importance of collaboration and community work—and the risks of isolation: “The bubbles of isolation we live in today are not effective for creating a better tomorrow.” Over the years, UIDN has relied on community support and resilience. In his farewell letter, he expressed hope “that the work continues, that the welcomes grow ever larger, and that we never forget that the measure of our humanity is not found in how we treat the powerful, but in how we honor the foreigner among us.”
Víctor Cueva: Returning to His Roots
Immigration attorney Víctor Cueva brings both professional and personal experience to his new role as UIDN’s Executive Director. Born in Lima, Peru, he arrived in the United States at age eleven. “I lived undocumented in this country for ten years. That experience—living with the fear of deportation—inspired me from a young age to become an immigration lawyer,” he recalls.After studying at SUNY Ulster, SUNY Albany, and Cardozo School of Law, Cueva began his career in 2015 with the Immigrant Justice Corps program. He recently directed that same program, supervising more than 200 young attorneys nationwide—an experience he considers a full-circle moment.
Despite that national role, Cueva felt drawn back to the Hudson Valley, where his parents still live and where he first settled after emigrating from Peru. During his first days at UIDN, that need became clear. In a board meeting, news came of an ICE arrest in Kingston. Cueva joined a social worker to support the family. “It reminded me why I started—to bring legal knowledge and personal experience to people when they need it most.”
Priorities and Vision
Cueva’s immediate goal is to sustain UIDN’s existing programs through stronger fundraising. As the organization’s first full-time employee, he sees it as essential to stabilize the budget and expand capacity before growing further. That includes seeking grants, building relationships with foundations, and continuing to rely on community donations without depending on unstable federal support.In the long term, UIDN’s first executive director wants to establish a full-time immigration legal service within the organization. Such a program would fill a critical local gap, since many families must travel to New York City or Albany for representation.
He also hopes to formalize UIDN’s holistic approach. Currently, much of the support—like transportation, furniture donations, and translation—depends on volunteers and is somewhat irregular. With more funding, he hopes to create dedicated positions for case management, social work, and even educational tutoring for immigrant youth in local schools.
“If money weren’t an issue,” said Cueva, “I’d love for UIDN to become the immigrant services hub of Ulster County—a place where families know they can find help with food, housing, legal matters, and more.”
Continuing the Work
The transition is both emotional and hopeful. Daniel recalls a touching moment: “A mother once left her baby with me while she went to the bathroom. I walked in with the baby where the volunteers were, and it was like I’d brought light into the room. Everyone wanted to see her. Those moments make it all worthwhile.”UIDN’s future, like its past, will depend on community support. Father Frank ended his letter with gratitude and a call to action: “I leave knowing the work is not finished, but also knowing that the foundation is strong. UIDN will continue to be a sanctuary of resistance and refuge, a beacon of welcome and justice.”
Contact:
ulsterimmigrantdefensenetwork.org
Helpline: (888) 726-7276
back to top
COPYRIGHT 2025
La Voz, Cultura y noticias hispanas del Valle de Hudson
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