A plurality of Minnesotans believe that immigrants to this state cost more than they give back. In the latest Minnesota Public Radio/St. Paul Pioneer Press poll, 42 percent said they believe the cost of absorbing immigrants and helping them get established outweighed the economic, social and other contributions they make. Thirty-seven percent in the poll said the contributions immigrants made do outweigh the costs. Measuring the precise costs and contributions immigrants offer is a complicated and sometimes controversial endeavor. Kathy Fennelly teaches courses on immigration and public policy at the University of Minnesota. She says many attempts have been made to accurately portray the trade-offs.