CBP Detains Drummer Before European Tour Flight

A drummer and lawful permanent resident of the United States was detained by federal immigration officials at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday, just as his band was preparing to depart for a European tour. Yamal Said, the drummer for Texas-based heavy Americana outfit Lord Buffalo, was removed from the flight by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers executing an arrest warrant related to alleged violations of a protective order.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Said is a Mexican national with a green card. An agency spokesperson shared on social media that Said had violated a restraining order at least twice, actions which—depending on circumstances—can elevate the charge to a felony 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 CBP statement read. "When he was attempting to leave the U.S., he was apprehended by CBP and has been turned over to local law enforcement."

Details about the specific nature of the protective order remain undisclosed. As of press time, Said is being held at the Tarrant County Corrections Center.

Said immigrated to the United States in the 1980s following a devastating earthquake in Mexico City. He has played drums with Lord Buffalo for eight years and also serves as a music teacher at the Texas School for the Blind in Austin. Paul Carlson, assistant principal at the school, commented that Said is "a highly respected and long-serving member of our school community."

The incident has forced Lord Buffalo to cancel their planned tour of Europe. The band announced the decision on social media, saying:

• "We appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support from y’all today. 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 group had scheduled eight performances abroad, supporting their latest album "Holus Bolus," alongside Norwegian group Orsak:Oslo. In response to Said’s detention, Orsak:Oslo posted on social media:

• "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."

As the legal case develops and with details still emerging, supporters and fellow musicians await further information regarding Said's status.