FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2026
Read a version online. Media RSVP: Samantha Weigel (650) 477-9126 samantha.weigel@mail.house.gov
MEDIA ADVISORY – PRESS CONFERENCE
Lawmakers & Community Advocates Work to Save National Archives & Historic Records
SAN BRUNO, CA – The media is invited to join U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) for a press conference on Monday, Aug. 24 outside the National Archives at San Francisco (located in San Bruno) to announce efforts to stop the planned closure of this unique federal facility that houses over 750,000 records and historic documents. Media are asked to RSVP.
Rep. Mullin will share information about a bipartisan, bicameral group of 37 lawmakers working to defend the local facility, as well as a new federal bill introduced to stop the closure of any national archive facility without Congressional approval.
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. Just a few of the notable records include the Wong Kim Ark files, on which the recent birthright citizenship Supreme Court Case hinged, and Alcatraz penitentiary files from cases like “Machine Gun Kelly” and Al Capone, and many more.
PRESS CONFERENCE SPEAKERS:
- Congressman Kevin Mullin
- Rosalyn Tonai, Save Our National Archives and Executive Director of National Japanese American Historical Society, Inc.
- Anna Eng, Save Our National Archives and Lecturer UC Berkeley
- Remarks read on behalf of Congresswoman Judy Chu (by Julie Soo)
- Heather Hostler, Executive Director of California Indian Legal Services
- Japanese American National Museum Curator Dr. Kristen Hayashi
- Satsuki Ina, author and Professor Emerita CSU Sacramento
WHEN: 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, 2026
WHERE: 1000 Commodore Drive, San Bruno, CA 94066
VISUALS: Enlarged photos of historic archives/records, exterior of the building, and community members. PLEASE NOTE: the event will be held outside the archives, and the facility will not be open to the media or anyone without an appointment.
BACKGROUND & LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) recently announced it would be closing the San Francisco (San Bruno) and Chicago facilities, which are two of just 13 regional archives across America.
Rep. Mullin, along with Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), 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. The letter was signed by U.S. Reps. Mark Amodei (NV-02), Ami Bera (CA-06), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Ed Case (HI-01), Judy Chu (CA-28), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), , Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús García (IL-04), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Susie Lee (NV-03), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Doris Matsui (CA-17), Grace Meng (NY-06), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-29), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Norma Torres (CA-35), Maxine Waters (CA-43); and Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Jacklyn Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) Read the full letter here.
Rep. Mullin has also introduced a new federal bill, the National Archives Protection Act, that 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 (WA-07), whose district includes the Seattle archives; and Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), whose district includes the Chicago archives. Read the bill text here.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
“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,” Rep. Mullin said. “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. 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,” Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García said. “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,” Rep Judy Chu said. “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. The NARA Seattle facility is home to Tribal archives and is a resource for the entire Pacific Northwest. I 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,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal said.
“The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) strongly urges the National Archives and Records Administration to reconsider the decision to close the federal records center in San Bruno, California. Being able to physically access these files in the community tangibly underscores the democracy that this country was founded upon, which is something that we cannot take for granted nor risk to lose. We encourage the National Archives to continue to preserve the documents that tell our nation’s past as well as make these invaluable records accessible to the American public. These are among the agency’s most important charges and we trust that they will continue to uphold them,” said JANM’s Curator of History and Director of Collections, Kristen Hayashi.
“The National Archives at San Bruno is more than just a building; it is a vital repository of our history. 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,” said Grant Din and Anna Eng, Communications Co-Chairs with Save Our National Archives.
“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. 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,” said Heather Hostler, Executive Director of California Indian Legal Services.
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