Key Takeaways
• Yamal Said, Lord Buffalo’s drummer, was detained by CBP at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport despite holding a valid green card.
• Lord Buffalo canceled their entire European tour; touring partners Orsak:Oslo will continue with the scheduled performances.
• The incident highlights rising concerns about stricter U.S. immigration enforcement under President Trump’s second term.
Austin-based psych-Americana group Lord Buffalo has been forced to call off their European tour after a distressing event at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday, May 12, 2025. Their drummer, Yamal Said, a Mexican citizen who holds a valid U.S. green card, was detained and “forcibly removed” from the flight by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. Since that moment, neither the band nor their team have been able to contact him.
This article will explain what happened, who is involved, why this case matters to both the immigrant and music communities, and what it could mean for people in similar positions. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation with Lord Buffalo and Yamal Said needs to be viewed in the wider context of recent changes in U.S. immigration policy during President Trump’s second term.
Sudden Detention Shocks Band and Fans
The day the tour was to begin, Lord Buffalo was preparing to board their flight to Europe at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Drummer Yamal Said, who is an official permanent resident of the United States and has a green card, was traveling with his bandmates when CBP agents detained him. In a statement they shared on social media, Lord Buffalo said Yamal was “forcibly removed.” This means that, although he held all the paperwork required to take the international trip, agents still stopped him and took him away from the plane before departure.
Since that time, the band members—Daniel Pruitt, Garrett Hellman, Patrick Patterson, and the now-missing Said—have had no direct contact with their friend and longtime bandmate. The group stated, “We are devastated to cancel this tour, but we are focusing all of our energy and resources on Yamal’s safety and freedom.” They are working with an immigration lawyer to find out where he is being held and how they might secure his release.
Tour Plans in Europe Derailed
Lord Buffalo’s planned trip was to be their first tour through several European countries, including Holland 🇳🇱, Germany 🇩🇪, Denmark 🇩🇰, Norway 🇳🇴, and Finland 🇫🇮. The band had scheduled their opening show on May 15 at the Oefen Bunker club in Landgraaf, Holland. Fans in Europe had anticipated a string of live performances from the group, who have developed a loyal following since their self-titled debut EP in 2012. They have released three full-length albums, with their latest, “Holus Bolus,” coming out in 2024.
Now, after the sudden detention, Lord Buffalo announced that all European dates on the tour are canceled. However, the shows will go on—with a twist. Their touring partners, Orsak:Oslo, have decided to continue with the scheduled performances despite Lord Buffalo’s absence. The band has encouraged their fans to come support Orsak:Oslo, showing the spirit of resilience often seen in the wider music community.
Growing Concern over Immigration Policies
Yamal Said’s case comes at a time when immigration policies and practices in the United States 🇺🇸 are under intense scrutiny. President Trump’s administration, in its second term, has put policies in place that call for stricter enforcement at borders and in airports. New executive orders have pushed for more raids and detentions, part of an effort to reach the goal of one million annual deportations.
Lawyers and civil rights groups have spoken out against these actions, arguing that the orders increase the risk of wrongful detentions for people who are living and working legally in the United States. Human rights organizations have also raised concerns about the long-term effects of these policies on immigrants’ sense of security, and about the fairness of detaining individuals with legal residency—such as Yamal Said.
How the Law is Meant to Work
A green card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card) is supposed to give non-U.S. citizens the right to live and work in the United States. Green card holders must follow all U.S. laws, but they are also protected from being removed from the country without due process. This means that unless there is a clear and proven reason for removal—usually involving major crimes—detaining a green card holder at an airport like Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is uncommon.
In recent years, however, reports have surfaced of lawful permanent residents facing unexpected detentions, sometimes due to misunderstandings, paperwork problems, or heightened enforcement actions. In this climate, even small issues in travel documents can lead to big problems at U.S. entry and exit points. For information on what documents are needed for international travel as a permanent resident, you can visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection official website.
The Human Cost of Sudden Detention
For Lord Buffalo, the effects go far beyond having to cancel concerts. Daniel Pruitt (vocals, guitar), Garrett Hellman (guitar), Patrick Patterson (violin), and the rest of the band are deeply worried about Yamal Said’s welfare. The stress and confusion of not knowing what has happened to a friend can be huge, even more so when his safety is out of their hands.
The loss is also deeply felt by their fans in Europe and at home. Many ticket holders were looking forward to seeing the group on stage for the first time or as returning favorites. The fact that Orsak:Oslo will continue the tour offers some comfort, but Lord Buffalo’s music and presence will be missed in these upcoming shows.
Immigration Law, Public Outcry, and Artist Rights
The detention and forced removal of a legal permanent resident right before an international tour raises serious questions about due process and justice. Yamal Said’s situation has gotten attention not just in music circles but in legal and social justice communities as well. Yamal, like other lawful permanent residents, was supposed to have protections under the law.
Due process means that authorities cannot simply remove someone unless there is a strong, legal reason—and the person is given a chance to respond. In recent months, civil liberties groups have reported rising numbers of cases in which travelers at big airports like Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport are being stopped or detained for reasons that are unclear or not shared with them.
These groups warn that sudden detentions without immediate communication to lawyers or family members, as appears to be the case with Yamal Said, may cross the line of what is fair and legal. The band’s struggle to connect with him afterward only highlights the difficulties families and friends face during immigration-related detentions.
The Ripple Effect on the Music World
Musicians often rely on the ability to travel freely—in and out of their home countries and across borders—to perform. When a band member is stopped at an airport, especially one with a valid green card like Yamal Said, it can disrupt not only the band’s schedule but also their livelihood, their relationships, and their reputation.
Incidents like this can have a chilling effect, making other artists think twice before planning international shows, especially if they or a member have non-citizen status. This can limit artistic exchange, hurt fans, and leave promoters in a tough spot. Some in the industry have called for better training for border agents to recognize proper documents and for clear guidance on the rights of artists traveling for work.
Civil Liberties Groups Respond
Since President Trump’s immigration changes took effect, there has been a rash of new executive actions. Civil rights lawyers argue that many of the changes do not offer enough safeguards for the innocent—including people like Yamal Said—who have every right to leave and return to the United States for work.
Some organizations are now calling for Congress to review these recent actions and for better oversight of CBP behavior at major airports, like Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. They believe consistent monitoring can help protect green card holders and their families from being caught up in large-scale enforcement sweeps that are meant for those without legal residency.
What Happens Next for Lord Buffalo and Yamal Said?
Lord Buffalo has shared their hope that the setback is only temporary. The band’s priority is to find out where Yamal Said is, to make sure he is safe, and to get him released so he can rejoin his bandmates, friends, and family. They have not ruled out trying to reschedule their European tour in the future, depending on how the situation unfolds.
At the same time, Orsak:Oslo continues with the original tour dates. Lord Buffalo’s message to fans to support Orsak:Oslo shows the close bonds between musicians and the broader music world.
What Can Other Immigrants and Bands Learn?
For non-citizen musicians and artists, Yamal Said’s story is a warning about how quickly legal travel plans can be turned upside down by an unexpected stop at the airport. It underlines the importance of keeping paperwork in order, understanding your rights as a traveler, and having legal support ready if problems arise.
Bands that include members who are immigrants or green card holders may want to plan ahead, build in time for possible delays, and know who to reach out to for help if anything goes wrong during international travel. For more details on permanent resident rights and travel rules, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection site offers helpful, up-to-date advice.
Summary and Moving Forward
Lord Buffalo’s European tour was set to be a milestone for the band, but the forced removal and detention of Yamal Said at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has put everything on hold. The group, their fans, and many in the music and civil rights fields now watch closely, hoping for his safe return. This situation shines a light on how recent U.S. immigration actions under President Trump’s administration are affecting not just individuals, but entire groups, especially those who travel for work.
Immigrants, artists, employers, and fans alike need clarity and fairness in the way border policies are carried out. Lord Buffalo’s experience, as shared by themselves and highlighted by sources like VisaVerge.com, is a stark reminder that work still needs to be done to protect the rights of lawful permanent residents and to ensure that cases like Yamal Said’s become less common in the future.
Learn Today
Green Card → An identification card granting a non-U.S. citizen lawful permanent residency, allowing them to live and work in the U.S.
Due Process → A legal principle ensuring fair treatment and protection of individual rights before authorities can detain or deport someone.
CBP (Customs and Border Protection) → A U.S. federal agency responsible for regulating and facilitating international travel and enforcing immigration and border laws.
Executive Orders → Directives issued by the President of the United States that manage federal government operations, sometimes affecting immigration enforcement.
Lawful Permanent Resident → A person authorized to live and work permanently in the U.S.; typically possesses a green card and certain legal protections.
This Article in a Nutshell
Lord Buffalo’s European tour was halted after drummer Yamal Said, a legal permanent U.S. resident, was detained at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. This incident, not yet explained by officials, has sparked debates over newly strict immigration policies. The band and civil rights groups demand transparency, protection of artists, and fair treatment for green card holders.
— By VisaVerge.com
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