Group Of Chinese Migrants Discovered Near Haulover Inlet

MIAMI (CBS4)- A number of migrants are being processed at the Port of Miami, but it's not your typical group of migrants.

U.S.  Customs and Border Patrol agents said approximately 10 to 12 Chinese nationals are at the Miami port. All of the migrants were adults and only speak Mandarin, CBS4's Tiffani Helberg reported.

Officials said a coast guard boat discovered the group at approximately 7:30 a.m. Tuesday about six miles east of the Haulover Inlet.

Customs and Border Patrol agents are investigating to find out how did the migrants get to Miami from China, where were they headed and why.

Chief Migdalia Travis with U.S. Customs said migrants risk their lives coming in illegally.

"Don't go out to sea and try to make it to the United States in an illegal manner because you're risking your life when you do that," she said. "That's the message that we really want to make clear to the whole public."

As a precaution, some of the migrants were sent to the hospital to make sure they were in OK condition, Helberg reported.

Officials did not comment about the condition of the vessel or boat the migrants were discovered on.