If a friend came to the states for陪读10 years ago,( i.e, in 1997), it was easy for her/him she/he was able to be assigned a 安全号SSN (thru driver license) if he/she liked to. Until January1999, 陪读 can not get 安全号 until she/he got admission for full-time study or H1/J1 offer for full-time position.
Something is wrong with having been in the states for 10 years (especially for ones thru GRE/TOFEL) and stilling waiting for gc to be approved!