- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
DHS Investigating Swalwell Over Alleged Illegal Nanny Employment
The probe comes as the California Democrat faces unrelated sexual misconduct allegations.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:23pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The swirling political scandals surrounding Rep. Eric Swalwell create an atmosphere of uncertainty and upheaval.NYC TodayThe U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency has referred allegations that Rep. Eric Swalwell illegally employed a Brazilian nanny to the Department of Homeland Security for investigation. The probe marks an escalation of tensions between Swalwell and the Trump administration, which has also referred a potential mortgage fraud case against the California Democrat to the Justice Department.
Why it matters
The investigation into Swalwell's alleged illegal employment of a nanny comes as the congressman is already facing a separate political scandal over unrelated sexual misconduct allegations. The dual controversies threaten to derail Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign in California.
The details
According to a DHS spokesperson, the nanny in question continued to work for the Swalwell family after her work authorization permit expired in 2022, though she later received authorization from the Department of Labor in 2024. Swalwell reportedly paid the nanny tens of thousands of dollars from his campaign funds between 2021 and 2022.
- In February 2023, a complaint was filed to DHS alleging the nanny's continued association with the Swalwell family despite the absence of known lawful work authorization.
- In 2022, Swalwell received an advisory opinion from the FEC allowing him to expense childcare charges to his campaign if they were only caused by campaign events.
The players
Rep. Eric Swalwell
A California Democratic congressman who is currently running for governor and is facing allegations of illegally employing a Brazilian nanny as well as unrelated sexual misconduct claims.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
The federal agency that has referred the allegations against Swalwell to the Department of Homeland Security for investigation.
Department of Homeland Security
The federal agency that is now investigating the allegations against Swalwell regarding the employment of a nanny without proper work authorization.
What they’re saying
“USCIS has been collecting information on the allegations involving Congressman Eric Swalwell hiring of a Brazilian national as a nanny without lawful work authorization. These allegations are serious. USCIS has referred this matter to DHS law enforcement for investigation.”
— Lauren Bis, DHS Spokesperson
What’s next
The Department of Homeland Security will conduct a formal investigation into the allegations against Swalwell regarding the employment of the nanny without proper work authorization.
The takeaway
The investigation into Swalwell's alleged illegal employment of a nanny, combined with the unrelated sexual misconduct allegations, have created a perfect storm of political turmoil that threatens to derail the congressman's gubernatorial campaign in California.
