Question #2: Is there any likelihood at all that INS will reduce the waiting period for LPRs from 5 years before being eligible for naturalization?

Carl Shusterman: The law provides a few exemptions to the 5 year requirement. For example, if you are married to a citizen for three years, and your US spouse has been a US citizen for at least 3 years, the five year residency period is reduced to three years. See:

http://shusterman.com/toc-usc.html

and click on "Citizenship through Naturalization" Similarly, if you are serving in the US Armed Forces for at least three years, and are a permanent resident, you may immediately apply for naturalization. For a limited number of persons, there is no residency requirement whatsoever. Such persons include persons who have served honorably in the US Armed Forces during a period of hostilities and spouses of US citizens working abroad for the US government or other designated employers, and for children who are petitioned by a parent.

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