The FBI said officials had been tracking Mohammed Ebrahim Al Araj. 40, of Pakistan, for several days because he left suspicious material in a Florida hotel, including wires, cables and batteries. The FBI was called to the room, where their search by dogs indicated explosives.
FBI agent Tim Gannon said the agency received a tip about Araj while his bus was en route from Florida. A passenger said she sat near him and that he seemed anxious and often sent text messages in a foreign language.
Several passengers said federal agents were waiting at the station and handcuffed Araj when he stepped off the bus. Authorities searched his luggage but said they found no explosives or related substances.
Araj, who was traveling to New York City, was questioned by immigration and customs enforcement officers, authorities said. He was traveling with a Jordanian passport and is in the United States illegally.
His original visa was good for six months. He entered the country on July 19, 2001. Authorities do not believe he is a terrorist.
About 100 passengers at the station were forced to wait until after midnight to resume their travel.
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