Swalwell referral to law enforcement

The Department of Homeland Security said on April 12 that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services referred allegations about Representative Eric Swalwell’s nanny hiring to law enforcement for investigation. (politico.com) A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Politico and CBS News that the allegations involve Swalwell’s hiring of “a Brazilian national as a nanny without lawful work authorization.” The agency said United States Citizenship and Immigration Services had been collecting information before making the referral. (politico.com) (cbsnews.com) Politico reported that the allegation centers on a nanny who, according to the New York Post account cited in the story, kept working for the Swalwell family after her work authorization expired in 2022. CBS News reported that she was later approved for permanent labor certification in 2024 while Swalwell was sponsoring her for a green card. (politico.com) (cbsnews.com) Federal law requires employers in the United States to complete Form I-9 for every hire and verify identity and work authorization. The Department of Labor says that rule applies to every employer, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services lists an unexpired Employment Authorization Document as one acceptable proof of work eligibility. (dol.gov) (uscis.gov) The public referral matters because it moved the matter from an internal review at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to investigators inside the Department of Homeland Security. The department’s statement added that federal law bars employers from knowingly hiring people not authorized to work in the United States. (politico.com) (cbsnews.com) Politico reported that the Department of Homeland Security did not say which law enforcement component would handle the case. The same story said a complaint filed in February pointed to social media photos from 2023 and 2024 as evidence the nanny remained closely involved with the family. (politico.com) The allegation also overlaps with questions about campaign spending. Politico reported that Federal Election Commission records cited by the New York Post showed tens of thousands of dollars in campaign payments to the nanny in 2021 and 2022, and nearly $40,000 more in 2025 after she later received authorization. (politico.com) Swalwell did not immediately respond to Politico or CBS News about the nanny allegations. In a separate statement about unrelated sexual misconduct allegations, he said the accusations were “false,” and on April 12 he suspended his campaign for California governor. (cbsnews.com) (apnews.com) For now, the clearest public fact is the referral itself: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services said it gathered information, sent the matter to Department of Homeland Security law enforcement, and left the next step to investigators. (cbsnews.com) (politico.com)