Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agent (CBP BPA) Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Maintaining a fixed address in the U.S. serves as a strong indicator of an alien’s intent to reside in the country and does not suggest abandoned status. Abandonment of immigration status typically involves evidence that a person has ceased their residence in the U.S., which can be indicated by prolonged absences or other circumstances that suggest a lack of intent to return.

In contrast, being outside the U.S. for over a year or having frequent prolonged absences would indeed indicate a potential abandonment of status as these scenarios often suggest that the individual has not maintained their presence in the country. Furthermore, traveling with immediate family members who are not permanent residents could raise questions about the individual's own immigration status, especially if those family members are not returning or are seeking to establish residency elsewhere. Thus, a fixed address provides a clear indication that the individual has retained a connection to their residence in the U.S., distinguishing it from the other scenarios that indicate abandonment.