California sues to stop National Archives facility closure

The state of California has filed a federal lawsuit against the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to prevent the closure of its San Francisco facility. The legal action, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeks to halt the closure following an announcement that included no consultation with tribal, state, or local governments.

Tribal governments rely heavily on these archives for critical documents, including Bureau of Indian Affairs enrollment records, land deeds, and federal boarding school records. The lawsuit argues that moving these records could cause irreparable harm, as the age and fragility of the items pose a risk of damage or loss during transit. Furthermore, the state contends that the records may become inaccessible to the communities that need them most for an extended period during the relocation process.

In addition to the state's legal challenge, national Native advocacy organizations have expressed opposition to the planned closures of both the San Francisco and Chicago locations. California Attorney General Rob Bonta noted that record transfers could begin as early as next week.