Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell is under investigation amid reports he allegedly employed an illegal immigrant from Brazil as a nanny.
Swalwell allegedly continued to employ the nanny after her work authorization expired in 2022, using campaign funds to pay her for child care, according to the New York Post. The Department of Homeland Security launched the probe into the allegations, which came to light in a February complaint, Politico reported.
Amanda Raissa Barbosa came over on an au pair visa in 2021, according to the complaint filed on Feb. 16 by Joel Gilbert. Swalwell reportedly hid her continued employment from 2023 until she received permanent work authorization in 2024 by gaining reimbursement for child care expenses from his campaign.
The investigation comes as Swalwell faces a string of sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women, including a staffer who accused him of engaging in sexual activity while she was unable to consent.
“[United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (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,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation when reached for comment. “USCIS has referred this matter to DHS law enforcement for investigation.”
“Federal law prohibits employers from knowingly hiring aliens who are not authorized to work in the United States. No employer, including a member of Congress, is above the law,” the spokesperson continued. “DHS will continue to aggressively enforce statutes to uphold the rule of law and protect American workers.”
Swalwell did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.
The Manhattan District Attorney announced Saturday it was investigating one of the sexual assauly allegations against Swalwell, this one stemming from an incident after a 2024 charity event.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” he said in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
Multiple Democrats have called on Swalwell to end his gubernatorial bid to succeed term-limited Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom since the allegations became public Friday.
Swalwell was removed from the House Intelligence Committee in 2023 by then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over his alleged affair with Christine Fang, who reportedly worked with Communist China’s Ministry of State Security. Swalwell has denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Fang.
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