The drummer for the Texas-based band Lord Buffalo, Yamal Said, was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport before departing for a European tour. Said, a Mexican national and lawful U.S. permanent resident, was arrested on a warrant for violating a restraining order twice, which in Texas can constitute a felony.
Officials stated that Said had a warrant for his arrest following allegations of violating a restraining order at least twice. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the incident, noting that such violations can result in felony charges in Texas. Said, who moved to the U.S. in the 1980s after a devastating earthquake in Mexico City, has been a member of the band for eight years and also teaches music at the Texas School for the Blind.
The detention forced the band to cancel its tour, which was scheduled to include eight dates in Europe supporting their latest album, ‘Holus Bolus.’ The band expressed frustration, stating that individuals should not be detained for trying to travel and create art. Orsak:Oslo, the Norwegian band joining the tour, also condemned the incident, emphasizing that such actions should not occur anywhere.
Said is currently held at the Tarrant County Corrections Center, and his legal team has requested privacy as the situation develops. The band has not yet provided detailed information about the allegations, and Said’s family has asked for discretion. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the treatment of legal residents and artists in the U.S. and abroad.
Paul Carlson, assistant principal at the Texas School for the Blind, noted Said’s contributions to the school community, describing him as