Des Moines Register November, 2000 THE IOWA POLL Immigration The Iowa Poll asked about two key issues in the news -- immigration and meat packing. A state task force recently called for encouraging immigration to help address Iowa's labor shortage. Meanwhile, several communities have loudly protested efforts to build a high-tech beef packing plant in their communities, fearing an influx of low income residents. Here is what the Iowa Poll found: Immigration Recently the governor's strategic planning council issued a report that Iowa must encourage immigration to meet its economic goals. Do you approve or disapprove of a state policy encouraging immigration to Iowa? Approve: 34 percent Disapprove: 58 percent Not sure: 8 percent In general, do you believe immigrants are taking jobs away from Americans living in Iowa or do you feel they're doing jobs that otherwise might go unfilled? Immigrants are taking jobs from Americans: 32 percent Immigrants are doing jobs that otherwise might go unfilled: 59 percent Not sure: 9 percent Are you personally acquainted with someone living in Iowa who was born outside the United States and immigrated here? Yes: 52 percent No: 46 percent Not sure: 2 percent