Overview:
California Indian Legal Services is challenging the planned closure of the National Archives’ San Bruno facility, arguing that moving irreplaceable historical records out of state would hinder California Tribes’ efforts to protect sovereignty, pursue federal recognition and preserve ancestral histories.
California Indian Legal Services (CILS) filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 20, 2026, challenging the National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) decision to close its San Bruno facility and relocate archival records out of state.
The lawsuit follows a separate legal challenge filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Oct. 14. Both actions come after NARA announced in June 2026 that it planned to close its San Bruno and Chicago archival facilities.
Natonal American Indian organizations oppose the proposed closings.
In its complaint, CILS alleges that the San Bruno closure would significantly restrict access for the organization, Tribes and Native communities to irreplaceable historical records that are not readily available to the public elsewhere.
Many of the records must be examined in person and are essential to CILS’ legal research and representation of Tribes and Native Americans. The materials support efforts to protect Tribal sovereignty, pursue federal recognition, establish ancestral land claims, safeguard sacred places and preserve Native American family histories.
The San Bruno facility serves at least 59 of California’s 109 federally recognized Tribes, as well as Tribes that have not received federal recognition. Its holdings include California census rolls compiled under the California Indians’ Jurisdictional Act of 1928 and other historical documents used by Tribal governments, attorneys, researchers and families.
CILS said its own experience demonstrates the importance of preserving access to these records. The organization’s attorneys spent countless hours reviewing materials housed in San Bruno during the landmark Tillie Hardwick litigation, which helped restore federal recognition to 17 California Tribes following years of wrongful termination.
“These records are not relics of the past. They are the foundation for decisions being made today and opportunities that will shape Tribal communities for generations to come,” said CILS Executive Director Heather Hostler.
The lawsuit raises concerns about the practical consequences of moving archival materials away from the communities and legal advocates who rely on them. For California Tribes pursuing recognition, protecting ancestral lands and documenting their histories, access to federal records can be essential to establishing legal claims and preserving connections to their ancestors.
The legal challenge seeks to contest NARA’s planned closure of the San Bruno facility and the relocation of its records out of state.
