The Ugly doesn't make any sense at all. I'm a documented alien with a social security number and I had a hard time getting someone to let me open my first US bank account. The first place turned me down outright, demanding a letter from Social Security to confirm that my social security number was valid (social security lady laughed at me). I ended up opening one with the partner chick's bank, because she was there to be my reference.

And that's in California. I can't imagine that wherever you are is much better.