OLA in the News

A Border Patrol vehicle monitors the U.S.-Mexico border in California earlier this year. Credit: AP/Gregory Bull The Trump administration, in the latest front in its mass deportation campaign, is targeting "unaccompanied" children who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without their parents, according to officials and advocates. The government is offering the children, including thousands on Long Island, $2,500 to go back to their homelands — and suggesting they and their familie

A still from the film "Corina." Strength and perseverance form the conceptual and thematic core of the feature-length films from Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Switzerland, including one animated, along with one short film, that OLA of Eastern Long Island will screen during its annual Latino film festival, now in its 22nd year, September 24 to 27. OLA’s Latino Film Festival of the Hamptons kicks off the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to Octo

If you’re feeling powerless about the state of the world today, the team at the Latino advocacy group OLA of Eastern Long Island is hoping that you’ll join this coming week in a shared experience of great international cinema that tells stories of strength and perseverance. Pictured Above: A Still from “La Ola (The Wave),” a Chilean film that will have its New York premiere at the OLA Film Festival on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the Southampton Playhouse. Wednesday through Saturda

Hamptons, Get Ready for the OLA Latino Film Festival! Alright Hamptons family, grab your calendars because one of my favorite cultural events of the year is back—the OLA Latino Film Festival of the Hamptons! From September 24–27, 2025, the East End is rolling out the red carpet for Spanish-language cinema, and I promise you, this year’s lineup will have you laughing, crying, and maybe even dancing in your seat.  Opening Night:  La Ola (The Wave) Kicking things off at the Sout

In the shadow of the nationwide ICE sweeps causing fear, anxiety and unsureness in immigrant communities all over, the Latino Advocacy Organization, also known as  OLA of Eastern Long Island , is holding steadfast in its efforts to support local Latino culture here — and no better way to find that human connection than with storytelling. The organization will host its 22nd annual Latino Film Festival in collaboration with Greenport’s  North Fork Arts Center  from Wednesday, S

Naian Gonzalez Norvind, left, plays a 20-year-old agoraphobic woman who must overcome her fears in “Corina.” In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, OLA of Eastern Long Island will launch its 22nd annual Latino Film Festival on Wednesday evening at 7 at the Southampton Playhouse with “The Wave (La Ola)” (2025), a musical drama from Chile. A reception for ticketholders will begin at 6. The four-day festival will continue with screenings in Greenport, Wainscott, and

La organización OLA of Eastern Long Island anunció los nombres de los seis estudiantes latinos que este año recibirán la Beca Juvenil de OLA, un apoyo económico significativo que acompaña a los jóvenes durante su educación universitaria o formación técnica especializada. Los estudiantes seleccionados son: Briana Chávez, Vanessa Salomé Galindo, Gabriela Jácome y Bradley Rodríguez, egresados de East Hampton High School Daniel Rivas y Luis Tapia, egresados de Greenport High Scho

Strength and perseverance serve as the thematic backbone of the 22nd Annual Latino Film Festival of the Hamptons, presented by OLA of Eastern Long Island from September 24 through September 27. The festival features five Spanish-language films representing Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Switzerland — including one animated feature and one short film — all with English subtitles. This year’s program launches with the New York premiere of “The Wave (La Ola)” on Wednesday, Se

U.S. State Department seal in front of the agency's office in Washington, DC in July. Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images/NurPhoto Immigrant advocates on Friday described the Trump administration’s announcement to expand its review of all current U.S. visa holders as the latest crackdown intended to snuff out free speech and criticism of the administration. The U.S. State Department, in an emailed statement to Newsday on Friday, said its "continuous vetting includes all of the

Rosa Quituisaca said she got a call last year from a friend warning that the two of them might have made a mistake buying homes from the same Hamptons property investor. The friend said the investor was asking for more money than he had initially agreed to pay. Quituisaca soon found problems of her own. She discovered that the deed for her $475,000 East Hampton home had never been filed, leaving Suffolk County without any record of her ownership. When the deed was later recor

Members of immigrant communities in the East End village are now on edge. An immigration advocate says ICE was in Greenport Sunday and several people were deported. Minerva Perez, executive director of OLA of Eastern Long Island described it as an “indiscriminate raid.” “It is outrageously frightening," she said. “These were folks that were just sort of randomly picked out. These were not targeted situations.” Members of immigrant communities in the East End village are now o

"It's horrifying. It's the most devastating thing I've ever experienced," said Minerva Perez, whose East End Latino advocacy group, OLA,...

“Get a good first impression.” “Stay out of drama.” “Beware of the stairs.” These are some of the many pieces of advice offered by...

Organización Latino Americana of Eastern Long Island Executive Director Minerva Perez joined a chorus of voices pushing back on three new...

"Women are being forced to choose between suffering in silence or coming forward and risking their family," says Julia Miller, a...

Kidd Squid Brewing Company in Sag Harbor was packed on Thursday, June 26, as well over 100 people attended a fundraiser for the...

Celebrating 23 years of service, OLA of Eastern Long Island will host its signature Sabor cocktail fundraiser on Thursday, July 17, at...

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2025 Contact: Minerva Perez, Executive Director 631-871-3408 mperez@olaofeasternlongisland.org...