Drummer removed from flight, detained by U.S. Border Patrol before international tour
Dallas, TX – Yamal Said, drummer for the Austin-based psych-Americana band Lord Buffalo, was “forcibly removed” from a flight at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on May 12 by U.S. Border Patrol agents, just as the group was preparing to embark on a European tour. The arrest was made after federal authorities discovered an active felony warrant for Said’s arrest related to alleged violations of a protective order, Homeland Security officials said.
Said, a Mexican national and U.S. green card holder, was en route to Europe for a multi-country tour with the band Orsak:Oslo when Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials detained him onboard the aircraft, forcing the band to abruptly cancel all upcoming performances abroad.
Felony warrant tied to alleged violations of protective order
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Said is wanted by the Llano County Sheriff’s Office in Texas for allegedly violating a restraining order on at least two occasions — a felony offense under Texas law.
“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,” the agency stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“When he was attempting to leave the US, he was apprehended by CBP and has been turned over to local law enforcement.”
Tour canceled as legal situation unfolds
In a statement posted to Facebook, Lord Buffalo expressed their devastation over the arrest, confirming the cancellation of their European tour but omitting any reference to the active warrant. The band had been scheduled to perform alongside Orsak:Oslo across the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden throughout the month of May.
“We are devastated to cancel this tour, but we are focusing all of our energy and resources on Yamal’s safety and freedom,” the band wrote. “We are hopeful that this is a temporary setback and that it could be safe for us to reschedule this tour in the future.”
Orsak:Oslo also weighed in, voicing solidarity with Said and concern over the circumstances of his detention. “We’re devastated by the situation Lord Buffalo and their drummer Yamal have been forced into. No one should be pulled off a plane and jailed for simply trying to travel and make art with their band. We won’t pretend to understand the full complexity of the situation, but this should not happen anywhere,” the band said.
Said is a longtime educator and musician in Austin
Said, who joined Lord Buffalo in 2017 after previously performing with the band The Black, is also employed as a paraprofessional at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Austin, where he supports both middle and high school students.
According to the Austin Chronicle, Said moved to the United States as a child in the 1980s after his family relocated from Mexico City following a major earthquake. A vice principal at his school described him as a “highly respected and long-serving member of our school community.”
Legal representation underway, band asks for privacy
Lord Buffalo noted they had been left without direct contact with Said following his arrest but confirmed he has received an immigration attorney. In an update shared Wednesday, the band asked for discretion as the situation continues to unfold.
“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,” the band said.
As of now, Said remains in custody as authorities coordinate with local law enforcement regarding the outstanding warrant. No further statements have been released by federal officials or Said’s legal team.
