BREAKING NEWS - October 14, 2026
California Attorney General Rob Bonta Files Federal Lawsuit to Block Closure of National Archives at San Francisco
Read lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Press release from the Office of Attorney General Rob Bonta
“In the lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta argues that the closure of the San Francisco Archives and the transfer of records from this facility is arbitrary and capricious in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. To act unilaterally and without regard for the State, tribes, and other stakeholders is contrary to NARA’s mission to preserve public access to the Nation’s historical records. Moving records out of their communities of relevance places them out of reach for those who need the records the most. Less than 4% of records at National Archives nationwide are digitized. Some records are too delicate and fragile to digitize at all because of their age or composition, and to digitize them risks damaging or destroying them in the process. To prevent these harms, Attorney General Bonta seeks a court order vacating the decision to close the Natonal Archives at San Francisco and prohibiting the transfer of records from this facility.”
Media Coverage
San Francisco Chronicle, October 14, 2026. “Kansas City is no place for the Bay Area’s National Archives. They belong here” by Harry Mok (Op-Ed)
San Francisco Chronicle, October 14, 2026. “California sues to block closure of Bay Area’s only National Archives facility” by Aldo Toledo
KRON 4 News, October 14, 2026. “CA sues Trump Administration over National Archives closure”
NBC News Bay Area, October 14, 2026. “California sues to block planned closure of National Archives at San Francisco” by Ali Reid
Bay City News, October 14, 2026. “Bonta Announces Legal Action To Save National Archives Facility”
Voice of San Francisco, October 14, 2026. “California Attorney General joins fight to save National Archives in San Bruno” by John Trasviña
KQED, October 15, 2026. “Bonta Sues Federal Government to Stop Bay Area National Archives Closure” by Samantha Kennedy
AsAmNews, October 15, 2026. “California AG Bonta sues to stop closure of National Archives” by Randall Yip
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has announced the closure of the National Archives at San Francisco and its adjacent Federal Records Center, located in San Bruno, California, within three years. Save OUR National Archives (SONA) has learned from sources that the move of records from these facilities could begin as soon as August 2026.
The closure of the National Archives at San Francisco, which houses records for northern California, most of Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands, removes historical materials from their places and communities of relevance. The effective loss of access to these artifacts - and the history they contain - would be a terrible blow to historians, researchers, families, and students, and ultimately be detrimental to our communities and overall American History.
With concerns that records may be moved soon, SONA is asking for the public’s help to oppose these closures, to stop the re-location of historic records, and to keep these facilities open to the public.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED
SONA is continuing to organize on a national scale. For more information, press coverage, and action resources, follow us on Facebook.
SONA also opposes the proposed closure of the National Archives at Chicago. The Chicago Area Archivists are leading a campaign to stop this closure.
“In the Matter of the Identification of Wong Kim Ark”, May 14, 1904. Return Certificate Application Case File of Wong Kim Ark, 12017/42223. Records of the San Francisco District Office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Record Group 85. National Archives at San Francisco.
News and Updates
From the collections of National Archives at San Francisco
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Form 430 - Application of Alleged American Citizen of the Chinese Race for Preinvestigation of Status, 1921
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Warden’s Notebook Page for Robert Stroud, 594-AZ
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Excerpt from Arvin Camp Manager Tom Collins’ Report, 1936
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Photograph of the USS Arizona
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Immigration Visa Application of Tatiana Biront, 1950
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Photographs of Tsuchiyo Yatabe and Sadakichi Yatabe
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Excerpt from June 14, 1942 memo
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Chinese Wedding Certificate, 1909
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Photograph of Josephine Crispain and John Marcus
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In the Matter of the Identification of Wong Kim Ark, 1904
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