MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) — A group of Cuban migrants safely made landfall on Miami Beach near First Street Beach, Monday morning.
According to Miami Beach Police, six adult men arrived on the shore in a small vessel, which landed on the jetty. After being out at sea for 11 days, the migrants were in good heath, said police. “We are all doing well,” said one of the men, speaking in Spanish. “We were at sea for 11 days. It’s six of us. We’re here for the American dream.”
BREAKING VIDEO: Cuban migrants just arrived on shore on South Beach. Said they were at sea for days. @wsvn pic.twitter.com/qRgFM5u9Yo
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) April 25, 2016
On board the vessel were a diesel engine, clothes, water and even a first-aid kit. A witness said she saw the boat approach the shoreline in the distance, so she started recording the scene. “‘Oh, my God, what’s going on?'” she said she thought to herself as she assessed the men coming to the shore. “‘Are they coming from Cuba? Let me just video tape just in case.’ And then, I’m like, ‘Oh, yeah, definitely. They’re coming from Cuba.'”
Beach-goers witnessed the men kiss the sand they landed on and rejoice upon their arrival on U.S. ground.
Breaking now : Cuban migrants just came ashore in South Beach. Say they were at sea for 11 days @wsvn pic.twitter.com/aAH92D6LIm
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) April 25, 2016
Miami Beach police transported the men over to the Miami Beach Police station where they were processed. U.S. Customs and Border Control met them there to begin processing them.