As far as land and property goes, in the "old days" you simply staked out a claim.  In present time, you actually have to purchase the land you live on and hold a title to that land.  Without a title of ownership, anyone can take it from you.  It's like finders keepers.  If I take something from you and you cannot prove that it was yours with documentation or present some sort of proof in court that you possessed it or I stole it, it's mine and there is nothing you can do about it. Drop $100 bill on the street and see if you can get it back from the person who picks it up.\n\nAs far as rights and the constitution.  You do not have to claim the rights of the country you were born in.  If you are born in the United States you recieve a birth certificate and the government documents your existance with a Social Security number.  If you have these thing, you automatically recieve the rights granted to you under the constition.