HOLLYWOOD BEACH, Fla., Sept. 10 (UPI) -- A boatload of Cuban immigrants came ashore in South Florida, dropped to their knees to kiss the ground and then posed for beach-goers' photos, witnesses say.
The 11 Cuban men came ashore on Hollywood Beach Monday afternoon, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
Beach visitors photographed the men, who jumped in the air and posed. A lifeguard also took pictures, then called police.
Police Sgt. Pablo Vanegas said the men, ranging in age from 25 to 45, told officers they had been at sea three days.
Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman Elee Erice said the men were taken into custody about an hour after setting foot in the United States. They were taken to a CBP post in Dania Beach where they were photographed and fingerprinted.
"We want to make sure they're not criminals," Erice said.
Church World Services of Miami, which assists immigrants, were expected to pick up the group and take them to see relatives in Miami.
Hollywood Beach, which is north of the major beaches in Miami, occasionally sees migrant boats land, Vanegas said. "But it doesn't happen that often."
