Angel Island Profile: Nick Friesen

Nick Friesen’s family were Dutch Mennonites who migrated from Prussia to Ukraine in 1789. When the Mennonites came under attack during the Russo­ Japanese War, the Friesens moved to Siberia, but they lost everything when Stalin came to power. In search of freedom and a better livelihood, they immigrated to America in 1929. Upon arrival in San Francisco, the family of six was taken to Angel Island. The next day, after a physical examination and interview, the family was formally admitted into the country.