Labor officials investigating workplace abuse complaints from undocumented workers purposely overlook the immigration status of illegals to punish harsh employers, even if it means refusing to identify an illegal to immigration authorities, according to a groundbreaking study.

The eight-year study published in the September issue of the authoritative Sociological Perspectives finds that federal and state labor authorities take a “don’t ask, don’t tell” view of illegal workers and believe that it is more important to protect the employment rights of illegals than help fellow immigration authorities find and deport the undocumented workers.