absolutely correct. The only people complying with that law were companies like mine back then who had to fill ouit a form I9 and make copies of three approved documents of identity from the applying employee and if we hired them, keep these items in records the entire time they were employed. It was a PITA .
Everyone knew all the companies in the southwest were hiring illegal people to work in the factories and the fields.. They could hire them at far less money and benefits whereas companies like mine in Ohio were paying higher wages and a complete benefits package including decent private health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance and 401K thru profit sharing methodology.
None of the immigration laws were enforced that I know of.. I simply complied with the paperwork so I could not be cited or arrested..