Customs and Border Patrol question

[left-of-center2012]

I was born in, and grew up in, Pennsylvania.
For about 20 years I lived in San Diego, California.

Occasionally I'd go to Tijuana, Mexico for a few hours shopping, eat at a restaurant, etc.

Upon return to the border I had to pass though U.S. customs and was always asked,
upon showing them my California driver's license:

"What state are you a native of?"

A native of; not, where are you from. No matter who asked me, they always worded it that way.
Maybe to throw off non-English speaking people? It always threw me off.

What state am I a "native of" -- Pennsylvania where I was born, or California where I lived at the time?

I always just answered California, and they waved me through.

[Shrike47]

1. You are a native of Pennsylvania, now living in California.

[left-of-center2012]

3. then living in California

Now living in New Mexico.

[shraby]

4. what if you were only born in a state but your parents moved right after you were born?

Then you lived most of your life in another state?

[Kirk Lover]

7. I would say that you were the native to the state you moved to after you were born. nt

[Nay]

8. Well, no. You are a native of the state that is printed on your birth certificate, even

if you move out when you are one day old.

[Kirk Lover]

2. And I'm a native New Yawker ! nt

[elleng]

5. YES, ALWAYS will be!

[ProudLib72]

6. We have a "native" problem in CO

There are "native" bumper stickers, "semi-native" bumper stickers, "not native, but got here as soon as I could" bumper stickers, and "you're native? What tribe are you?" bumper stickers.

In the end, someone is making bank on bumper stickers!