It will take 5 years in US for your Ph.D as my sisiter completed recently from ohio. Sice you are a fresher , not having a publication doesnt mean that your admission chances will be hampered. BUt I would ask also for you to apply to germany and nearby european labs as there you can finish the phd in 3 years and you have publications. In europe you have to apply to the individual professors.
I was rejected the visa for US at the time of attacks so I came to germany for my PhD studies. Its nice here and and there lot of options for your area of interest.
