Where were you born? How about where were your parents born?
When I started working with my company (38+ years ago) I had to apply for a specific type of clearance. I filled out the forms then had a phone interview with one of our security people.
SP: "Where was your mother born?"
Me: "City and country"
SP: "Oh! I flew over and bombed that place during the war!"
Me: crickets. Didn't say anything, but quietly thought "So you're the reason why my mother's family had to leave their home and flee to Austria. Good to know. Thanks."
In my situation it might be the same as yours, OP, it was simply a background check. Nothing racial or discriminating in my thoughts, just looking for facts.