One of the sections that was not invalidated makes it illegal for government officials to instruct their employees not to enforce immigration laws. Essentially, that eliminates sanctuary cities, and it’s sanctuary cities that prohibit law enforcement to inquire about immigration status. So, I read the decision the same way you do, inquiry is permissible, there’s just no mandate.
Lawyers love this decision, more confusion = more money and cases for them.
I say ARREST THE ILLEGALS, LET THE FEDS PAY TO GET ‘EM OUT OF JAIL and Defend them.
If you make the Feds start paying for Illegals instead of the States having to School, Educate, Jail and Hospitalize ‘em, the Feds will have a different balance sheet. Right now the Feds get the benifits of Illegals paying into Federal coffers, without much responsibility for the Illegal’s negative actions.