Federal authorities are now investigating Congressman Eric Swalwell, a candidate for California governor, amid serious allegations of immigration and employment law violations. The core of the investigation centers around his employment of a Brazilian national as a nanny while she allegedly lacked proper work authorization.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed it had been gathering information regarding Swalwell’s hiring practices and has subsequently referred the matter to the Department of Homeland Security for a full law enforcement investigation. Officials emphasized that no one, regardless of position, is exempt from the law.
A formal complaint filed with the Department of Labor alleges that Swalwell and his wife actively concealed information to maintain their nanny’s employment. The complaint details concerns about potential misrepresentation and a deliberate effort to circumvent immigration regulations.
The allegations first surfaced in a complaint filed by a California filmmaker, alleging Swalwell used campaign funds to pay the nanny for approximately two years while she lacked valid work authorization. This raises questions about the appropriate use of campaign finances and potential financial impropriety.
Social media posts appear to show a continued close relationship between the Swalwell family and the nanny throughout 2023 and 2024, despite the expiration of her initial au pair visa and subsequent enrollment in community college – a status that restricted off-campus employment. These images fuel concerns about ongoing, unauthorized work.
Federal Election Commission data reveals significant campaign expenditures categorized as “childcare,” totaling tens of thousands of dollars paid to Swalwell. The complaint suggests these reimbursements were a deliberate tactic to continue employing the nanny while avoiding standard employment regulations.
While a labor certification application for a green card was eventually approved in 2024, the timeline and circumstances surrounding the nanny’s employment remain under intense scrutiny. The investigation will likely focus on whether the process was initiated to legitimize a previously unauthorized employment situation.
These allegations emerge as Swalwell simultaneously faces separate accusations of sexual assault, reported by a former staffer and corroborated by multiple other women. Swalwell has vehemently denied these claims, calling them “flat-out false” and promising a vigorous defense.
The confluence of these investigations – one concerning potential financial and immigration violations, the other involving serious misconduct allegations – casts a long shadow over Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign and raises significant questions about his conduct and judgment.
The Department of Labor and Homeland Security are actively pursuing the matter, signaling a commitment to upholding immigration laws and ensuring accountability for potential wrongdoing. The outcome of these investigations could have profound implications for Swalwell’s political future.
