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Four Cuban Migrants Come Ashore In Hollywood

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HALLANDALE (CBSMiami) – Four men who say they left Cuba seven days ago landed on Hallandale Beach early Tuesday morning.

Dmytro Donets encountered the four as they made their way onto land.

"They asked me to call the police.  One guy spoke English and said he was a teacher back in Cuba. He was happy to be in the USA," said Donets.

Shortly afterwards border patrol accompanied the four to the hospital.

CLICK HERE to watch Joan Murray's report

Many people, stunned by what they saw, snapped photos of the boat.

Yvonne Matthews said the journey shows their determination.

"They can manage to get this far in a boat like this it's unbelievable. It shows their determination," Matthews said. "It's sad that they feel that they have to do that but hopefully things will change soon."

Under the United States current "wet foot, dry foot" policy, if custom agents confirm the men are Cuban, they will be allowed to stay since they made it to land.

The Coast Guard says the number of Cuban migrants trying to make it to the U.S. has increased in recent months, with about 3,000 of them attempting to make the trip.

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