I dont want to seem overly negative, but my experience is as follows:
First the facts:
-married for over 10 years to my wife who is US Citizen born and raised in the US (as American as Apple pie)
-have 2 children who are also US citizens.
-lived in the USA for the last 10 years.
-over 3500+ hours on B747-400, over 6000TT jet
-commuted to/from Europe for the last 10 years
-worked for major European & Asian Airlines, excellent trackable record
Immigration Process:
-received "greencard" 10 years ago
-applied for US Citizenship 5 years ago
-after dragging for almost 4 years, my US citizenship has been denied, due to "lack of physical presence".
-after providing all necessary documentation, to prove that they are wrong and paying the processing fee of some $350 on top of my original application - I have not heard a word since.
-the fact that my profession as Long Haul Pilot requires me to leave the country on a regular basis (US is big but not that big), did not matter to the Mexican born immigration officer, who spoke really broken english, nevermind her english spelling.
No reply from most of the Airlines here. UPS even mentioned on the website that you have to be a US citizen as a requirement, due to "sensitive military freight" requiring security clearance.
Oh yes, and did I mention, that for the past 3 years I have flown all sorts of US military equipment from the USA to the Middle East, while working for a non US Airline.
I'm sorry to say, but as much as I love this country - not least because all those who matter to me most are born Americans (wife and kids) - the US government sucks and the protectionism going on in the US Airline industry is a disgrace.
The discussions of equal opportunity and non discrimination is hot air at best and hypocracy at worst.
I know a lot of US pilots flying for Cathay, Cargolux, British Airways and even Lufthansa (provided they can speak German). The reciprocity however works only one way and that is not right.
Luckily, more and more of the world's airlines are returning the same "courtesy" by not hiring US pilots. This kind of development is unfortunate, as it would have been far better for the US Airline industry being less protective.
Sorry - I'm letting some steam out here, but it can be quite frustrating to deal with this kind of c&*p.
As things stand, I found professional happiness elsewhere and am no longer trying to get into the US Airlines. Good luck to those who try.