Reaction to California Attorney General’s Lawsuit to Protect National Archives in San Bruno

SAN BRUNO, CA - Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15), who has been demanding answers from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and authored the National Archives Protection Act, issued the following statement in response to California Attorney General Rob Bonta announcing a lawsuit to block the closure of the San Francisco National Archives, located in San Bruno, CA:

"The National Archives and Records at San Bruno tell the important story of what has happened here in the Bay Area and local communities have every right to want direct access to their history. The National Records and Archives Administration (NARA) failed to conduct any kind of public input process and didn't engage with stakeholders who are impacted before making a decision to close this facility and relocate fragile, sensitive documents over 1,500 miles away.

I am glad to see California Attorney General Rob Bonta file a lawsuit to stop NARA's closure of the facility, and emphasizing how important it is for state agencies, university researchers and tribes to have access to these records.

While I'm pleased to see the Attorney General take action today, I am also pushing for federal legislation with the National Archives Protection Act and will be doing everything in my power to prevent the closure through other means like the federal budget process.

The fact that we have developed a bipartisan, nationwide coalition of federal lawmakers interested in preserving these archives demonstrates the unique and irreplaceable value they hold. These archives aren't just boxes of paper - they hold the stories, memories, and history of generations of Americans. Families whose ancestors immigrated through Angel Island can track their lineage, those whose loved ones served in the Navy and were stationed in the Pacific can learn about their legacy, and Native Americans whose history is documented over generations are all able to learn more by visiting this national archive."

In June 2026, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) announced it would be closing the San Francisco (San Bruno) and Chicago facilities, which are two of just 13 regional archives across America. The local facility in San Bruno houses culturally-significant archives from not only California but also Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific island territories, and Tribes. Its records hold deep value to the community including Angel Island immigration files, Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese Internment records, Native American and indigenous history documents, and much more.

Read more about Rep. Mullin's National Archives Protection Act, and NARA's dismissive response to a letter he co-authored with Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) along with 37 federal lawmakers, urging them to stop the closure.

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