12 migrants come ashore on South Beach

Posted: Sep 15, 2015 9:27 AM PDT Updated: Sep 15, 2015 10:13 AM PDT







MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- U.S. Customs and Border Patrol are responding after a dozen migrants, including a dog, were seen coming ashore on South Beach, Tuesday afternoon.

According to officials, a customer at the South Beach Ritz-Carlton, located at 1 Lincoln Road, noticed the group of 11 males, one female and the dog, on a raft headed towards the beach shortly after 11 a.m.

Miami Beach Police spokesperson Ernesto Rodriguez said it is unknown how long the group were at sea. Rodriguez said he could not confirm the migrants' nationality but said the migrants appeared to be Hispanic. Under the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act, or "wet-foot-dry-foot" policy, if the migrants are in fact Cuban, they would be allowed to remain in the United States legally. "Our Ocean Rescue spotted 11 males, one female and one dog, I'm being told, near 17th Street and the beach. Right now, what we're doing is we're waiting for Border Patrol to arrive and take over the scene," said Rodriguez. "We have Miami Beach Fire Rescue to tend to any immediate medical needs they may have, and our officers are there standing by as well for Border Patrol."

Hotel staff also responded to the scene to provide fresh food and water to the migrants. Beachgoers are also taking the clothes off their backs and reaching into their wallets to give to the group.

The fate of the migrants will ultimately be decided by officials.
Stay tuned to WSVN 7 News and wsvn.com for updates on this developing story.

http://www.wsvn.com/story/30035687/1...on-south-beach