August 24, 2026 Press Conference to Announce Congressional Opposition to National Archives Closures
Video of Representative Kevin Mullin’s Press Conference with Save OUR National Archives. August 24, 2026
Take action and stay informed:
Read the Congressional Delegation Letter signed by a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of 37 members of Congress opposing the closures.
Read the new federal bill, the National Archives Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-17) and Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28). This bill would prevent the National Archives from closing any of their facilities - including archives, records centers or research rooms - without Congressional approval.
Show your support by signing the online petition and sharing it widely! Let the National Archives know the constituents do not want these closures! 9,500 people have already signed the petition. Our goal is 100,000 strong. If each of us shares the petition with ten people, we will reach that goal in no time. People power!
Contact your Congressional Representatives and let them know you oppose these closures. Find your representatives here.
Read excerpts of remarks from the press conference.
Read and watch press coverage of the event:
San Francisco Chronicle, August 24, 2026. “A treasure trove of West Coast history is housed in San Bruno. Federal officials want it closed” by Hannah Wiley
ABC 7 Eyewitness News, August 24, 2026. “Bay Area leaders push back against Trump's plans to close National Archives facility” by Tara Campbell
The Mercury News, August 24, 2026. “Protesters say the closing of National Archives in the Bay Area threatens access to critical Asian American history” by Stephanie Lam
NBC Bay Area, August 24, 2026. “Lawmakers push to save San Bruno National Archives amid planned federal closure” by Marianne Favro
AsAmNews, August 24, 2026. “Community rallies to stop closure of National Archives facility” by Randall Yip
SFGate/Bay City News Service, August 24, 2026. “San Bruno: San Bruno Archives Closure Faces Congressional Challenge”
KPIX Bay Area, August 25, 2026. Member of Congress joins Bay Area community members to oppose closure of National Archives at San Francisco. (YouTube Link)
KTSF 26 灣區新聞, August 25, 2026. “San Bruno 國家檔案館將永久關閉 眾議員推動立法急救援” KTSF 萬若全報導.
San Mateo Daily Journal, August 25, 2026.“Lawmakers pushing back on plans to close San Bruno’s National Archives” by Holly Rusch
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
Contact SONA
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