15-05-2025
Lord Buffalo Claims Mexican Drummer Was 'Forcibly Removed' from a Flight as the Texas Band Cancels Tour
Texas band Lord Buffalo has canceled its upcoming European tour
The four-piece group claimed in a social media post that Mexican drummer Yamal Said was "forcibly removed" from a flight at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
The U.S. Department of Homeland security issued a response via social mediaLord Buffalo is canceling its upcoming European tour after the Texas band's drummer was allegedly "forcibly removed" from a flight.
Shortly before the band was set to perform its first show of the tour in Heerlen, Netherlands on May 15, the members took to social media to announce the cancellation and share details of drummer Yamal Said's experience.
"We are heartbroken to announce we have to cancel our upcoming European tour," began a statement on Facebook. "Our drummer, 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 at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday May 12."
At the time, the band explained they were "unable to contact" Said as he'd "not been released" yet, though they're "working with an immigration lawyer to find out more information and to attempt to secure his release."
Lord Buffalo expressed feeling "devastated" about the canceled concerts but urged that Said's fellow members Daniel Jesse Pruitt, Garrett Jeffrey Hellman and Patrick John Patterson "are focusing all of our energy and resources on Yamal's safety and freedom."
"We are hopeful that this is a temporary setback and that it could be safe for us to reschedule this tour in the future," continued the band, noting that tourmates Orsak:Oslo will follow through on performing the scheduled shows.
PEOPLE has reached out to the band and DFW International Airport for comment.
Following some media coverage on the initial news, the official X account for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security wrote in a post on May 14, "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," alleged the note. "When he was attempting to leave the U.S., he was apprehended by CBP and has been turned over to local law enforcement."
In a follow-up Facebook statement from Lord Buffalo the same day, the band thanked fans for their "outpouring of support" in the wake of the situation.
"Our drummer has secured the legal representation he needs and we are waiting to hear what comes next. We want to reiterate that we truly don't know what's going on," they wrote.
"We have more questions than answers, but we will keep you posted as much as we can," continued the statement. "At this time the family asks for privacy as they navigate the situation."
Lord Buffalo's latest album, Holus Bolus, is out now.
Read the original article on People
