Protesters and lawmakers gathered in San Bruno, California, on August 24, 2026, to oppose the closure of a National Archives facility. u.S. Representative Kevin Mullin is introducing legislation to mandate Congressional oversight for such shutdowns.
The 750,000 Immigration Files at Risk in San Bruno
The National Archives facility in San Bruno, California, is not merely a storage warehouse but a critical repository for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history. According to the report, the 1-million-cubic-foot facility houses more than 750,000 immigration case files, many of which detail the experiences of individuals passing through San Francisco’s Angel Island Immigration Station during the 1900s.
The stakes for cultural preservation are high, as the site holds original immigration records for martial arts legend Bruce Lee. Furthermore, the facility preserves court records for United States vs Wong Kim Ark, the landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. For genealogy experts like Grant Din, these documents are irreplaceable tools for families tracing their ancestral roots on the West Coast.
A Three-City Purge Including Chicago and Seattle
The planned shutdown in San Bruno is part of a broader federal contraction affecting multiple hubs. as reported, the National Archive and Records Administration (NARA) intends to empty and close buildings not only in San Bruno but also in Chicago and Seattle. this move comes as NARA manages 40 facilities across 17 states,including the District of Columbia.
This pattern of closure suggests a systemic shift in how the fedreal government views physical archives. The decision is framed as a financial necessity; a June internal email from Chief Operating Director Jay Trainer stated that the closures are intended to ensure the "long-term financial health and viability" of the administration. However, the lack of a public budget detailing the cost of maintaining these sites suggests that the "financial health" argument is being applied broadly across several major American cities without site-specific justification.
Rep. Kevin Mullin’s Push for Congressional Approval
In response to the planned closures, U.S. Representative Kevin Mullin (CA-15) has taken legislative action to strip NARA of its unilateral power to shut down these sites. Rep. Kevin Mullin is introducing a bill that would prohibit the closure of any National Archives facilities unless the move receives explicit Congressional approval.
This legislative maneuver transforms a bureaucratic administrative decision into a political debate over the value of physical history. By requiring a vote in Congress, Rep. Kevin Mullin aims to force a public accounting of why these specific facilities were targeted and whether the cost-saving measures outweigh the loss of local access to historical records.
The Silence of Director Stephanie Bayless and NARA
Despite the public ouctry and the introduction of new legislation, the National Archive and Records Administration (NARA) has remained largely silent. The report notes that neither NARA nor the Director of the National Archive at San Francisco, Stephanie Bayless, responded to requests for comment regarding the San Bruno closure.
This silence leaves several critical questions unanswered. Most pressing is the destination of the millions of records; there have been no public updates from NARA on where the files from San Bruno, Chicago, and Seattle will be relocated. Additionally, it remains unknown if the centuries-old documents can be digitally preserved or if the move will risk the physical integrity of the papers. The current lack of transparency from Director Stephanie Bayless and NARA officials has only fueled the urgency of the protests led by Grant Din and local AAPI organizations.
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