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Authorities in New York said they arrested a Tunisian man they say helped one of the suspects held in Canada for allegedly plotting to blow up a train.

Police arrested Ahmed Abassi last month, charging him with two counts of making false statements to immigration authorities while trying to obtain a work visa and green card, CNN reported Thursday.

"As alleged, Ahmed Abassi had an evil purpose for seeking to remain in the United States -- to commit acts of terror and develop a network of terrorists here, and to use this country as a base to support the efforts of terrorists internationally," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said.

Authorities allege Abassi helped radicalize Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, one of the two suspects who allegedly plotted to derail a passenger train somewhere between Toronto and New York City, CNN said.

An undercover officer was present during discussions between Abassi and Esseghaier where the Tunisian man allegedly "discussed his desire to engage in terrorist acts against targets in the United States and other countries, and his intention to provide support and funding to organizations engaged in terrorist activity, including the al-Nusrah Front," a letter written by prosecutors said.

Esseghaier and Raed Jaser, 35, were arrested April 22 in Canada and were charged with with plotting murder, terrorist recruitment and terrorism inthe alleged derailment plot.