Band Cries Foul After ICE Detains Drummer — But Facts Tell a Different Story
What began as a viral sob story about a Texas band’s drummer being “forcibly removed” by immigration authorities has now completely unraveled, as new information reveals the musician was wanted for multiple restraining order violations.
The Austin-based rock band Lord Buffalo took to social media earlier this week to lament the cancellation of their European tour, claiming that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials had unjustly detained their drummer, Yamal Said, a Mexican national and green card holder.
“We are heartbroken… Our drummer, Yamal Said… was forcibly removed from our flight to Europe,” the band posted on Facebook, implying overreach and abuse by U.S. immigration officials.
Left-leaning outlets like The Austin Chronicle and others eagerly amplified the narrative, painting the incident as a politically charged injustice by the Trump administration.
But within 24 hours, the truth came out — and it wasn’t what the media hoped for.
DHS: Drummer Was Wanted for Criminal Violations
In a rare public clarification, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took to X (formerly Twitter) to correct the record. The agency revealed that Yamal Said had a warrant out for his arrest related to two separate violations of a restraining order.
According to online jail records obtained by KUT News, Said has since been transferred to local law enforcement custody.
So while the band insisted they had “no idea” why Said was detained, the federal authorities acted in response to active legal proceedings against him — not over immigration status alone.
Media Narrative Crumbles
This latest episode is yet another reminder of how quickly partisan media and activist circles rush to spin stories of immigration enforcement as cruelty — only to be embarrassed by the facts.
Much like the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case last month — where the media identified a violent criminal as simply a “Maryland man” to downplay his background — the same playbook was used here. And once again, the Trump administration’s rapid-response media team set the record straight.
Law Enforcement First, Optics Second
The incident also reinforces the Trump administration’s consistent policy: uphold the law, no matter how loud the headlines get. Whether the person in question is a working musician, a tech worker, or anyone else, having legal permanent residency does not make one immune to consequences when warrants and court orders are in play.
“We’re not going to allow criminal behavior to be shielded behind emotional media spin,” said one DHS spokesperson. “The law is the law.”