On Aug. 24, Rep. Kevin Mullin held a press conference outside the Leo J. Ryan Memorial Federal Building in San Bruno to protest the proposed closure of the National Archives facility there. Speakers included Satsuki Ina (pictured) of Tsuru for Solidarity, JACL, National Japanese American Historical Society, and Chinese Historical Society of America. Concerned organizations have formed a coalition called Save OUR National Archives (SONA).
SAN BRUNO – Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-San Mateo) and a coalition of federal lawmakers are working to protect America’s National Archives and two facilities that are facing threats of closure.
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) recently announced it would be closing the San Francisco and Chicago facilities, which are two of just 13 regional archives across America. The Bay Area branch is actually located in San Bruno, just south of San Francisco.
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 American incarceration records, Native American and indigenous history documents, and much more.
Just a few of the notable records include the Wong Kim Ark files, on which the recent birthright citizenship Supreme Court Case hinged, Alcatraz penitentiary files from cases like Machine Gun Kelly and Al Capone, and many more.
Mullin, along with Rep. Judy Chu (D-Pasadena), are leading a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of 37 lawmakers in calling upon NARA for more information and emphasizing the importance of maintaining these archives in the community.
Mullin has also introduced a new federal bill, the National Archives Protection Act, which would prevent NARA from closing any of their facilities including archives, records centers or research rooms, without congressional approval. The bill is co-authored by Reps. Chu; Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), whose district includes the Seattle archives; and Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), whose district includes the Chicago archives.
“These archives aren’t just boxes of paper — they hold the stories, memories, and history of generations of Americans,” said Mullin. “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.
“We have a responsibility to protect this history and ensure these tangible records are carefully preserved and accessible to the people they represent. I am leading an effort to protect the federal facility in San Bruno and archives across America, and am deeply committed to working closely with the community, my congressional colleagues, and state as well as regional leaders to ensure this irreplaceable history remains accessible for generations to come.”
“I strongly oppose the closing of the National Archives facilities in my district and around the country,” said Garcia. “The lack of transparency surrounding the closure of the Chicago facility threatens the irreplaceable collections stored there, staff expertise, and on-site, in-person research access.
“It would represent a loss for researchers, historians, dedicated employees and our community who visit the facility looking for census and naturalization records to prove citizenship status, examining genealogy records to identify their ancestors, or studying major historical events like the 1894 Pullman Strike and the Nuremberg War Crime Trials.
“I’m proud to join Rep. Mullin and my colleagues in introducing legislation prohibiting NARA from unilaterally closing these important facilities without congressional approval.”
“Closing the National Archives facilities at San Francisco and San Bruno and moving their irreplaceable documents across the country is an unacceptable barrier to public access,” said Chu. “These documents are unique pieces of history that have defined the AANHPI community in California and across the Pacific. For decades, these institutions have allowed descendants of Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II and those impacted by the Chinese Exclusion Act to learn directly about their family members’ experiences.
“Closing these facilities will force families to travel great distances at significant costs to access their own American histories, and threaten the integrity of these precious records. We will not let history be pushed out of reach for the families who have lived it simply for logistical cost-savings.
“That is why I am proud to co-lead this bill and letter to preserve these facilities and ensure these records remain accessible to the communities whose history they hold.”
“It is critical that we preserve our National Archives facilities to protect important facets of this country’s history,” said Jayapal. “The NARA Seattle facility is home to tribal archives and is a resource for the entire Pacific Northwest.
“I’m proud to be co-leading this legislation with Reps. Mullin, Chu, and Garcia to protect these important federal record centers and require congressional approval to move or close any location.”
“I’m joining my colleagues in urging the National Archives to reverse its decision to close its San Bruno facility,” said Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento). “These irreplaceable records preserve the stories of immigrant families, veterans, Japanese Americans, tribal communities, and generations of Californians — including records from the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act. They belong within reach of the communities whose history they tell.
“I’ll continue fighting to protect these records, preserve public access, and support the dedicated federal employees who care for them.”
“The National Archives at San Bruno is more than just a building; it is a vital repository of our history,” said Grant Din and Anna Eng, communications co-chairs of Save Our National Archives. “For generations, these files have provided the only evidence of family reunions, military service, and survival against discriminatory laws. Closing this facility effectively erases access to our collective past.
“We call on NARA to halt these plans and honor their commitment to serve the public by keeping these archives open.”
“These archives are more than boxes of paper. They contain the history of California Tribes, our governments, our lands, our families, and our relationship with the United States,” said Heather Hostler, executive director of California Indian Legal Services. “They are critical to preserving our history and protecting our sovereignty.
“Relocating these records without tribal consultation puts access to that history at risk and disregards the federal government’s trust responsibility and its commitment to engage tribal nations as sovereign governments.”
The letter regarding the San Bruno archives was signed by, among others:
House — Reps. Mark Amodei (D-Nev.), Ami Bera (D-Sacramento), Julia Brownley (D-Oxnard), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Antioch), Laura Friedman (D-Burbank), John Garamendi (D-Vallejo), Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Jared Huffman (D-Petaluma), Ro Khanna (D-Santa Clara), Susie Lee (NV-03), Sam Liccardo (D-San Jose), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Dave Min (D-Costa Mesa), Jimmy Panetta (D-Monterey), Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), Lateefah Simon (D-Oakland), Mark Takano (D-Riverside), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Mike Thompson (D-Napa), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Norma Torres (D-Ontario), Maxine Waters (D-Hawthorne);
Senate — Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jacklyn Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)