Am I wasting my time?

yes... you may have to get references, etc. But, you are employable.

 

Paid in cash means you probably didn't pay taxes. Or you claimed no income. This makes you a bit of a liability. I won't say that your wasting your time. You will get a job, but as an employer would you want to invest in someone that you are not sure will be around next week? You may have to start with a company that your not sure will be around next week, that's all.

 

for all any company knows, OP paid taxes. References for the work and time............. having said that, 9 years is a long time and for all anybody knows, could have been in prison, etc. Document reliably the time and employment and you will find someone...housewives/homemakers have similar issues.

 

visas have according documentation... paper trail tells all

 

you will have to have some sort of references, etc. Companies in this day and age won't accept much less. Time must be accounted for, the way it is. Not to say some dumpy outfit wouldn't look the other way, but come payday may look the other way too. Figure out a way to account for the huge time frame.

 

I really doubt that you are employable with a trucking company - at least any that follow regulations.

You are required to have a verifiable 10 year history.
Sometimes that just means a letter from a family member or former associate stating where you were and what you were doing during the time of 'unemployment'.

But you were out of the country, and illegally working there under the table and without a valid visa.
That sends a bad message to anyone.