Community News · San Bruno, CA
California Sues to Block San Bruno National Archives Closure Announced Late September
The state of California filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking to halt the closure of the National Archives facility in San Bruno, CA, which was abruptly announced in late September without tribal, state, or local consultation. The closure also affects the Chicago National Archives location, though no specific closing date has been set; records could begin moving as early as next week, according to Attorney General Rob Bonta. California is home to 109 federally recognized tribes that rely on these archives for Bureau of Indian Affairs enrollment records, land deeds, and federal boarding school documents. Tribal leaders said two virtual sessions held Oct. 13 and Oct. 15 functioned more as listening sessions than formal consultations, and expressed concern that closure decisions were already finalized.