Austin-based folk band Lord Buffalo announced Wednesday the cancellation of their European tour after they say their drummer, Yamal Said, was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
In a statement posted on social media, the band said that Said, a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent U.S. resident, was forcibly removed from the band's flight to Europe at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on May 12.
In the initial Instagram post, the group said that Said had not been released, and they had 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 had stated.
The band expressed disappointment and displeasure over canceling the tour, but said that their priority is "Yamal’s safety and freedom."
The band posted an update on Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday, thanking fans for support and stating that Said had secured legal representation:
"Thank you for your outpouring of support it means the world to us. 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. We have more questions than answers, but we will keep you posted as much as we can. At this time the family asks for privacy as they navigate the situation."
KVUE reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confirm Said's detention, and a DHS official provided a statement Wednesday night:
"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 apprehended by CBP and has been turned over to local law enforcement."
Said moved with his family to Austin in the 1980's after an earthquake in Mexico City, and has been a fixture in the Austin music scene while also working as a substitute teacher at the Texas School for the Blind, according to the Austin Chronicle.
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Read the full story at KVUE.com. CultureMap has rearranged this story and added hyperlinks for clarity in its shortened form, but not added new information.
