A man who identified himself as a US citizen was taken into custody by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj district after allegedly attempting to cross into Nepal without carrying valid travel documents. Officials said the 36-year-old introduced himself as Jordan Brown and claimed to be from California in the United States.
The arrest took place on Saturday during a routine border patrol conducted by the 22nd Battalion of the SSB near border pillar number 516 in the Mainihwa area, which falls under the Sonauli police station limits. According to officials, Brown was stopped while approaching the border but allegedly attempted to escape before being caught by Indian border personnel.
Police said he was not carrying any passport, visa, identity proof or other valid travel-related documents at the time of his detention. Siddharth, the additional superintendent of police (Maharajganj), said investigators questioned Brown following his arrest.
According to information shared during the interrogation, Brown allegedly travelled to Thailand on a tourist visa, where he lost his passport. He also reportedly told police that he was a former US Navy officer.
"He subsequently reached Sri Lanka via a sea route and arrived in India from there by sea on 2 November, 2025. Since then, he had been residing in Goa," the additional SP said.
Based on the timeline provided by officials, Brown had remained in India for nearly seven months without possessing his passport.
Authorities said he later travelled from Goa to Bengaluru before making his way to the Sonauli border with the intention of entering Nepal.
"He was attempting to enter Nepal when he was apprehended without any valid travel documents or proof of identity," the officer added.
A search of Brown's belongings led to the recovery of Rs 31,460 in cash and two mobile phones. However, officials said he failed to produce a passport, visa or any other legitimate travel documentation. SSB Assistant Commandant Priya Yadav said Brown was questioned by the SSB along with other security agencies before being handed over to the Uttar Pradesh police at Sonauli for further legal proceedings.
Police said Brown's statements are being verified. A case has been registered at the Sonauli Police Station under Sections 21/23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act for entering India without valid documents, the official said.
In a separate development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) produced five Ukrainian nationals and one US citizen before the Patiala House Court on July 3 after arresting them for their alleged role in providing terrorist and combat training to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.
According to the agency, the accused entered India on tourist visas before allegedly travelling through Mizoram into Myanmar, where they established contact with ethnic armed groups engaged in operations against the Myanmar military junta.
The NIA has alleged that the group imparted training and assistance related to drone warfare and other military technologies to these organisations, triggering concerns linked to India's national security. The accused remain in judicial custody while the investigation continues.
