Well manamale it seems like your U.S. visa days are numbered. I was also at HAI, did my 2 years and then had to leave. Let me see, I signed up in a recruiters office abour 3 years ago when the war was going, he said not a chance without a green card. So I went and worked in the Caribbean. I returned from there and met some people I knew in the North Carolina National Guard, and the chief of the Apache Unit - he swore blind he could get me recruited as they needed people so badly. Never heard from after I said ,I doubt it and good luck. So I proceeded to Canada.
I have worked there for the last 2 years and am on my 3rd year now, as well as having been back in the Caribbean this winter. When I went to Canada I had be-friended quite a few high up people in the military that reckoned they could have gotten me in the US Army as a pilot, but at that point I had worked so hard to get where I was, I just didnt bother anymore. All I can say is that Canada is far more welcoming and far easier to get the opportunites to work there as a pilot. The U.S. is unable to sponsor pilots, and to be honest most companies a few years ago were afraid to even think about sponsoring foreigners in aviation after 9/11. Furthermore, you need to have a college degree to be even sponsored in the U.S. So that was a no go for me anyway.
Along the way I have met some good people who have tried to help me get work around the world with my FAA license - including Mr. Sousa there (thanks again Bert). Always stay in contact with people - its a small industry. The funny thing is, I have a U.S. social security card, a valid drivers license and can talk with about most American accents, and have passed as one while driving across the border just showing my U.S. drivers license (I am Irish too, by the way). With all that I could go back to the States, get a job and there would be no problem whatsoever and keep paying my taxes, as the IRS does not talk to the INS. The problem would occur when I would go to leave the U.S. I have a friend who arrived over from Ireland about 12 years ago - he never went back and works and lives his life happily in the US, but can never leave the country. I think now he has his green card though.
I debated the whole marriage thing myself, but didnt bother in the end. I try for the lottery every year, for the past 5 years - no luck yet! Oh well.
Anyway, I have been rambling here a bit - sorry too many rum and cokes while sitting at the water here on my island. Anyways, I am a few months away from my Canadian residency. If you are interested in working in Canada PM me, and hopefully you will have time to get there for this season coming - hopefully it will be a hot dry one and the fires will be raging again like last year! After this season, I am debating hitting up Australia for their season. Also, I hear Bristow are hiring lots of people for their VFR ops these days. Might be worth giving them a shout.
Good luck in your adventures.