Good morning,

Arrests by immigration authorities in New England surged in September, topping 1,500  human beings.

More than half of those arrested had not been convicted of or charged with crimes, the Globe reports.

Just last week, four people who have been in the country lawfully for years and fulfilled every requirement on their path to US citizenship were asked to step out of line at an oath ceremony at Faneuil Hall for the apparent crime of being from the wrong country.

“Folks are at risk of arrest by ICE not just because they are finishing up serving criminal sentences, but because they are dropping their kids off at school or taking the bus to work,” Sarah Sherman-Stokes, associate director of Boston University’s Immigrants’ Rights and Human Trafficking Program, told the Globe’s Scooty Nickerson.

At-home care hit hard

Federal immigration policies have reshaped many industries — including at-home care, where immigrants account for 1 in 3 workers.

As a result, in-home elder care costs are rising more than three times faster than inflation, Axios reports.

Elder care is a "ticking time bomb that no one's talking about," writes Matthew Nestler, senior economist at KPMG, in a post. "

What employers should know

For employers seeking to understand how to support their immigrant employees — and how to help them lawfully navigate potential interactions with immigration enforcement — we’re hosting an Immigration for Businesses webinar tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3 p.m.

Our presenter will be Ana Cristina Chavez Andonie, corporate engagement specialist with the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), with additional remarks from MIRA Political Director Maroni Minter on related legislative efforts. RSVP

We’ll leave time for your questions during the session.  However, you’d prefer to submit a question anonymously, email me in advance.

Additional resources:

• Rights and responsibilities if ICE comes to your business.
• ICE privacy waiver form.
• Pathways for Immigrant Workers, offers pro-bono legal services to employers who are providing jobs but cannot afford green card sponsorship.
• Learn about a proposed state law our chamber supports related to I-9 Inspections

Newtonville Commuter Rail Project chugs along

The MBTA will present 30% design plans and provide an update on the Newtonville Station Accessibility Improvements Project at Newton City Hall on Thursday (Dec. 11) at 6 p.m.

Construction is slated to begin in 2026, adding two elevators and fully accessible high-level platforms to the station.

RSVP to attend in person or virtually.

Getting to Logan just became easier

A new bus service aims to make it easier for folks in our region to get to and from Logan Airport.

Blue Apple Bus Company is operating 13 inbound and 14 outbound daily trips between the Riverside MBTA station and Logan.

The cost is $15 each way, a lot less than an Uber.

Blue Apple’s CEO, John Cogliano, is no stranger to the state’s transportation challenges. He previously served as state Secretary of Transportation, chair of the MBTA, Highway Department Commissioner and chair & CEO of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

The company has operated a similar Mansfield–Logan route since 2022.

Program promoting hiring disadvantaged workers ending

A business tax credit worth thousands of dollars for hiring certain groups of disadvantaged workers is set to expire at the end of this year.

Nearly 2.6 million workers were certified under The Work Opportunity Tax Credit program in 2023 alone. Among them are individuals receiving SNAP benefits, the long-term unemployed, qualified veterans and people previously convicted of crimes, reports Andy Medici for the BBJ.

Extension of the program will require an act of Congress.

Tuesday grab bag

• Please save the evening of Jan. 13 for the chamber’s big annual Winter Celebration. Watch your inbox for the early bird ticket announcement.
  
  
• One in three Massachusetts residents have considered leaving the state over the past year because of high costs, according to a new poll. (Boston Globe)
  
  
• The Watertown City Council will vote tonight on adopting a Skip the Stuff ordinance, making the city the fourth chamber community to do so.
  
  
• Wellesley’s Skip the Stuff ordinance takes effect in a few weeks: Jan. 1. All food service establishments will be required to provide plastic utensils, other single-use articles, along with single-serving condiment packages, by customer request or at a self-service counter.
  
  
• A French tech company has signed a 320,000 SF lease renewal in Waltham, it’s believed to be Greater Boston's largest suburban lease since the pandemic. (BBJ)
  
  
• 275 Grove St. hosts a Winter Market, Dec. 12 at 5 p.m., featuring local vendors with handmade goods, artisanal treats, live music, food and a raffle benefiting the Newton Food Pantry.
  
  
• China Rainbow has been dishing Chinese-American favorites and Polynesian drinks in Watertown since 1972. It’s closing on Dec. 20. (Watertown News)
  
  
• The Needham Holiday Raffle continues through Dec. 31. Shop at 40+ local businesses, collect stamps with each $35+ purchase, and enter to win prizes like gift cards, classes, or products
  
  
• Metered parking is free in Needham and Wellesley throughout the holidays.
  
  
• The Suffolk University Law School Center for Housing Justice and Policy and the City of Newton will host an online fair housing training for real estate professionals tomorrow (Weds), at 6 p.m.
  
  
• Starting or growing a business in MA? Get an inside look at the state’s new Business Front Door and how it streamlines access to key resources, Jan. 15, 10 a.m. via Zoom. RSVP

All it took was years of neglect and some public shaming

After being ranked the worst golf course in America, the state-operated Leo J. Martin Golf Course and Ski Track on the Newton–Weston line may finally be getting the mulligan it’s been begging for—a $5 million facelift that could help it get back on the fairway.

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is proposing installing a new irrigation system, landscaping, green improvements, tree planting and cart path improvements, Nick Stoico at the Globe reports.

The proposal would close the course for the 2026 season, though the driving range is expected to reopen in April and remain in play all season.  So you can still work on your swing while DCR works on making the facility less embarrassing.

The agency is accepting public comments until Dec. 19, so if you have thoughts, now’s the time to chip in.

Thanks to you, this season will be brighter for many kids

Finally, thanks to everyone who pitched in to make last week’s toy drive our most successful yet.

Together, we collected more than a carload of toys and raised over $3,500 — allowing us to purchase even more holiday gifts from Henry Bear’s Park (in photo) for Newton children in need.

Thanks to all who donated and to our Young Professionals Group and The Village Bank for coordinating, and to our event sponsors — Direct Federal Credit Union, UMass Amherst–Mount Ida Campus, The Bulfinch Group, and The Street Chestnut Hill — whose support made this effort possible.

Toy donations are still welcome. Bring them to any Village Bank branch before end of business tomorrow (Wednesday). Details.

The Watertown Business Coalition, Rotary Club of Watertown and Mosesian Center for the Arts are also collecting toys at their annual Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive, tonight (Tuesday) 5:30 p.m. at the Mosesian Center.

And that’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know the 106 Oreo flavors, ranked worst to best.

Make your holiday shopping decisions as if jobs depend on it, because they do: Support local.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.

I value your feedback