What I can also suggest is to have your bank (or you can do that yourself you own checks) write a check with the money you want to take from your bank account, then deposit the check to your new US bank account. I havn't done it, but it should work and it shouldn't be that expensive.
As for SSN it takes about one month to get your card. Some employers would give you a job if you can show them the slip of paper they give you when you apply for a SSN, some others wouldn't. But you do need the number if you want to open a bank account.
