JACL National Action Alert RE: H.R. 10131 - NATIONAL ARCHIVES PROTECTION ACT
Released for Distribution: October 8, 2026
ACTION ALERT: ASK YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO COSPONSOR H.R. 10131
BACKGROUND:
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has announced closure of its San Bruno, California, and Chicago, Illinois, facilities within three years. Public access to historical records is under threat, as shown by the NARA record transfers scheduled to begin October 13, 2026, with Railroad Records and NASA documents processed to be moved to NARA Boston. Tribal Nation community members concerned about their historical records stored in the Chicago and San Francisco facilities are invited to a listening session on October 13, 2026.
In an attempt to halt NARA’s action, Representative Kevin Mullin (CA-15) introduced H.R. 10131, which was referred to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. There are 11 co-sponsors. The resolution aims to amend Title 44, United States Code, to prohibit the closure of Federal records centers, and for other purposes.
In part, the Archivist may not—
(1) close or impose unreasonable restrictions on public access to any record center or archive facility established before the date of the enactment of this subsection;
(2) Or reconstruct, convert, or rehabilitate any such center or facility if doing so would require the relocation of records for more than 180 days.
Given that the 119th Congress’ final day of business will close on January 3, 2027, the likelihood of the bill moving out of committee and out for a vote is very slim, moving the bill’s transition to the next 120th congressional session. U.S. Representative Kevin Mullin (CA-15), as the district representative that houses the National Archives at San Francisco, along with the co-sponsors, must do all they can to stop the closure.
BREAKING UPDATE: NARA’S RESPONSE FAILS TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY CONCERNS
On October 5, 2026, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) issued a response to a bipartisan, bicameral letter from 37 lawmakers urging the agency to reconsider the planned closure of its San Bruno facility. The response cited anticipated annual savings of more than $4.7 million and plans to relocate immigration records to Kansas City, Missouri, but did not fully address lawmakers’ concerns about public access, the preservation of fragile historical records during cross-country transfers, or the future of the facility’s experienced staff.
In response, Representatives Kevin Mullin (CA-15) and Judy Chu (CA-28) criticized NARA for failing to adequately address the concerns of families, researchers, and communities whose histories are documented in these archives.
Rep. Chu emphasized the particular significance of these records to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, including descendants of Chinese immigrants affected by the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II. As she stated, these archives are where descendants go to learn what their loved ones experienced. Moving records thousands of miles away would impose significant travel costs and burdens on families seeking access to their own history.
The dismissive NARA response has reinforced the need for congressional action to protect these irreplaceable records and preserve access for the communities whose stories they tell.
● Response From Jay Trainer at NARA to Delegation Letter
● Response From Rep. Mullin and Rep. Chu
CALL TO ACTION:
All JACL Districts, Chapter boards and members are requested to respond in one or more of the following ways:
. Get your Representative to cosponsor the bill (PRIORITY)
Find your Member of Congress. Use Find Your Member of Congress and call their DC or district office. Ask for the staffer who handles government oversight or the National Archives.
Make the call. "Hello, my name is [name], and I'm a constituent from [city/town]. I'm also a member of the Japanese American Citizens League, the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization. I'm calling to ask Representative [name] to cosponsor H.R. 10131, the National Archives Protection Act. The National Archives is closing its San Bruno, California, and Chicago facilities. Those facilities hold records like the original Wong Kim Ark case file, Chinese Exclusion case files, and records of the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. Records transfers begin October 13. [Add your own sentence or two on why the archives matter to you. For example: "My family's records from the incarceration are held in the National Archives, and I would not have been able to learn my family's story without them." or "As an educator, I rely on these original records to teach my students about the Constitution."] Will the Representative cosponsor H.R. 10131? And can you tell me who I can follow up with?"
If you reach voicemail, leave the same message with your name, address, and phone number so the office can confirm you are a constituent.
Follow up in writing. Send an email or letter the same day, and attach the H.R. 10131 One-Pager. Restate your request for cosponsorship in the first sentence.
Tools created by SONA and Chicago Area Archivists to craft your personal message.
fundNARA.com has instructions on additional actions
Request a meeting with your Member of Congress or their staff, and bring the One-Pager.
Ask for a yes or no on cosponsorship, and follow up if you don't hear back within a week.
Report back. Email a copy of your letter, and any response you receive, to policy@jacl.org so we can track which offices have been contacted.
Hold a Press conference
Share this JACL Action Alert with your friends, family, and allies and ask them to write to their legislative representative. We stress that public education is key.
RESOURCES:
● H.R. 10131 One Pager
● H.R. 10131 tracking page
● Find your member of Congress
● How to write to your congressman/woman - ACLU Use your own stories/words. Template messages are deemed as duplicates and deleted from the count.
● Save OUR National Archives SONA for contact link
● Society of American Archivists SAA
● How to hold a press conference toolkit
● How to organize a press conference LULAC
● General Services Administration GSA
● NARA policies (36 CFR Parts 1232, 1234, 1235, and 1256)
● Office of Management and Budget Memo 19-21
Additional Questions or concerns:
Contact JACL Staff email
Content contributor(s):
Carol Kawase (VP of PA), Katie Masano Hill (JACL Policy Fellow), Matthew Marumoto (JACL Policy Fellow)
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The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.
