Eric Swalwell “Nannygate” Explodes: DHS and FEC Complaints Allege Illegal Alien Employment and Misuse of Campaign Funds for Childcare
On February 16, 2026, I filed two well-documented federal complaints against Congressman Eric Swalwell, one with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS/ICE), and another with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Together, these filings raise serious questions about whether Swalwell engaged in illegal patterns of conduct that reflect his disregard for federal law and a potential abuse of campaign funds for personal benefit.
At issue are two distinct but closely related allegations: first, that Swalwell continued employing a foreign national nanny illegally for two years after her legal work authorization expired; and second, that he illegally used campaign funds to cover what appear to be ongoing personal childcare expenses totaling more than $300,000.
Taken together, these allegations suggest a sustained pattern in which legal requirements were well understood by Swalwell, and then ignored for personal gain. I published both complaints on SwalwellisDisqualified.com.
The DHS/ICE Complaint: Alleged Employment of an Unauthorized Worker
In 2022, Eric Swalwell and his wife employed a Brazilian national, Amanda Barbosa, as a live-in Au Pair under the J-1 visa program. Barbosa resided in the Swalwell household and provided full-time childcare for their three young children. In 2022, Barbosa was paid approximately $46,929.70 for her services by Swalwell’s campaign under “Childcare for Campaign Events”.
Critically, Barbosa’s J-1 visa, and thus her legal authorization to work, expired at the end of December 2022. The Swalwells were fully aware of this deadline. In fact, earlier in 2022, they attempted to secure permanent work authorization for Barbosa by filing a federal labor certification (ETA-9089), which required a formal job posting in The Washington Post. Their advertisement outlined a demanding, full-time nanny position which included:
taking care of 3 kids & help satisfy kids’ physical, emotional, intellectual, & social needs
assist w/care of dog, organize kids’ play activities, drive kids to appts & activities
household cleaning &laundry, prep kids’ meals, Mon to Fri, 7A to 4P, Wknd work time
The Swalwell’s permanent work authorization application was denied by the Department of Labor.
The FEC Complaint: Campaign Funds for Personal Childcare
The second complaint, filed with the Federal Election Commission, addresses a separate but equally serious issue: whether Eric Swalwell illegally used campaign funds from donors to pay for his regular personal childcare expenses.
Federal election law is clear under 52 U.S.C. § 30114(b): campaign funds may not be converted to personal use. Campaign funds may only be used for expenses that arise directly from campaign activity and would not exist otherwise. Personal expenses, those that would exist regardless of candidacy, are strictly prohibited.
In 2022, Swalwell sought formal guidance from the FEC on whether he could use campaign funds to pay for childcare. The Commission’s response to Swalwell was explicit: such expenses are permissible only if they are tied to specific campaign events and are properly documented. As allege in my complaint, Swalwell disregarded that guidance and instead subsidized his candidate’s personal household expenses.
Abuse of Office for Personal Gain by Eric Swalwell
Taken together, my DHS and FEC complaints outline a consistent pattern:
Swalwell at first sought to comply with the law (labor authorization application, request for FEC advisory opinion)
Then the law said “no”, imposing clear limitations (denial of work authorization, denial of regular childcare expenses)
But Swalwell’s conduct continued anyway, in violation of the legal decisions and in blatant disregard of the law
Employing a foreign national without valid work authorization, if proven, would reflect a willingness by Swalwell to ignore immigration and labor laws that public officials are sworn to uphold. Despite being a former deputy district attorney, Eric Swalwell appears to have a problem with immigration law. In his campaign for governor of California, he vows to expel ICE, while working to defund DHS in congress.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/03/eric-swalwell-nannygate-explodes-dhs-fec-complaints-allege/