I feel discrimination, these days, is more likely to benefit the ethnic minority or female applicant over a better qualified white male.
Forgive the stereotypes.
Furthermore, without using contentious labels like discrimination or protectionism, it is more likely that the management are looking for stability in their employees.
This will result in local applicants having a better chance than some-one who may have a similar background to yours.
As you brought the subject up and appear to be in self-examination mode, who are you to judge that you are three times better than the other applicants?
Maybe its just attitude.