Lord Buffalo has canceled their European tour after Border Patrol “forcibly removed” band member Yamal Said, a Mexican citizen, from a flight despite the drummer having a green card and being a “legal permanent resident” of the United States, according to a statement posted on Instagram by the Texas band.
Just one day before the tour was set to begin on Thursday (May 15) in the Netherlands, the band members released a joint statement saying that moments before their departure to Europe on Monday (May 12), their bandmate was escorted off the plane at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. “He has not been released and we have been unable to contact him,” they wrote, noting that they are “heartbroken” to have to cancel the tour as a result.
“We are currently working with an immigration lawyer to gather more information and try to secure his release,” Lord Buffalo continued in the post. “We are devastated to have to cancel this tour, but we 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 will be possible to reschedule this tour in the future.”
In an update to the post on Thursday afternoon, Lord Buffalo thanked fans for their “overwhelming show of support” and shared that Yamal had “obtained the legal representation he needs.” “We are waiting to hear what comes next,” the band added. “We want to reiterate that we truly do not know what is going on. We have more questions than answers, but we will keep you as informed as we can. At this time, the family is asking for privacy as they navigate this situation.”
Billboard has reached out for comment from the band’s representatives and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
According to Lord Buffalo’s website, the Americana-style rockers had eight shows scheduled in Europe. After their initial performance in Heerlen, they planned to spend the month of May touring cities in Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
In the band’s absence, their tour mates Orsak:Oslo will continue to perform at all scheduled dates. “We ask that everyone go see this amazing band and support them over the next few weeks,” Lord Buffalo added in their statement.
The announcement comes at a tense time for immigration policy in the United States, with Donald Trump vowing to carry out deportations and implement stricter border control measures. The incident involving Lord Buffalo’s band member highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding immigration and the treatment of immigrants in the country.