In a county labeled a “sanctuary” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Nidia Zelaya knows some neighbors need to watch their steps these days.

“A lot of people are really scared of their basic routines,” said the woman from Watonwan County in southwestern Minnesota.

Zelaya volunteers with Convivencia Hispana, a St. James-based advocacy group for Watonwan’s Latino and Hispanic residents. Smithfield Food plant workers formed the group, which partners with another, Uniting Cultures, or Uniendo Culturas, on an annual multicultural fiesta and other initiatives designed to promote a sense of togetherness in an increasingly diverse county.

The work of these groups is not stopping, Zelaya said, despite some volunteers needing to scale back their involvement as a precaution against being

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