Rock Band Cancels Tour After CBP Detains Drummer From Flight, Homeland Security Responds

An American rock band canceled their European tour after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) removed their drummer from their flight to Europe.

The band Lord Buffalo said their drummer, Yamal Said, was detained from their flight departing Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

“We are heartbroken to announce we have to cancel our upcoming European tour,” Lord Buffalo wrote, according to Loudwire.

“Our drummer, Yamal Said, who is a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States (green card holder) was forcibly removed from our flight to Europe by Customs and Border Patrol [Protection] at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday, May 12. He has not been released, and we have been unable to contact him. We are currently working with an immigration lawyer to find out more information and to attempt to secure his release,” the band added.

Texan psych-Americana band Lord Buffalo forced to cancel European tour after Mexican drummer Yamal Said is “forcibly removed” from flight by US Customs and Border Protection officers https://t.co/cCHqVuEQCK

— Classic Rock Magazine (@ClassicRockMag) May 14, 2025

Per Loudwire:

Lord Buffalo consists of vocalist and singer-guitarist Daniel Pruitt, guitarist Garrett Hellman, violinist Patrick Patterson and drummer Yamal Said. They released their self-titled debut EP in 2012, and their self-titled debut full-length in 2017. They have since issued two more albums: 2020’s Tohu Wa Bohu and 2024’s Holus Bolus.

News of Lord Buffalo’s tour cancellation arrives amid President Donald Trump’s sweeping overhaul of immigration and border security. In the first 100 days of his second term, Trump issued a slew of executive orders, lawsuits, raids, detentions and more in an effort to reach one million annual deportations.

Yamal Said, drummer of the Austin, Texas-based rock band Lord Buffalo, was forcibly removed from a plane and detained by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol on Monday while en route to the band’s European tour.

“We are heartbroken to announce we have to cancel our upcoming… pic.twitter.com/36fRD4h3QG

— Variety (@Variety) May 14, 2025

According to Daily Mail, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that Said is a lawful permanent resident.

However, CBP detained him due to outstanding warrants and a criminal record.

“Yamal Said is a Mexican national and lawful U.S. permanent resident. Said had a warrant for his arrest after violating a restraining order at least TWICE,” DHS wrote.

“If you come to our country and break our laws, you will be arrested. When he was attempting to leave the U.S., he was apprehended by CBP and has been turned over to local law enforcement,” it added.

Yamal Said is a Mexican national and lawful U.S. permanent resident. Said had a warrant for his arrest after violating a restraining order at least TWICE. If you come to our country and break our laws, you will be arrested.

When he was attempting to leave the U.S., he was… pic.twitter.com/y6lg3hDycR

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 15, 2025

Daily Mail reports:

The band have yet to comment on those allegations and have been asked by Said’s family to lay low, according to a Facebook post.

‘We still know very little about the situation, but we have been asked by our drummer’s family and his legal team to respect their privacy while this situation evolves,’ they said.

Earlier in the day, the band posted that Said ‘has secured legal representation’ while adding that ‘we truly don’t know what’s going on.’

Online jail records obtained by KUT News confirm that Said committed a felony by breaking a restraining order. There are no further details regarding the charges.