51.   Following Kaelin to the stand was Ms. Ferrara, an aspiring actress who passed the ample waiting time in the courthouse reading an acting manual.

52.   His co-worker, clerk Sharon Kim, proudly explained that expanded hours and staff levels whittled down the waiting time for customers.

53.   Immigration officials said they expected the measures to cut in half the waiting time for obtaining citizenship.

54.   Immigration officials say that the delays are temporary and that the agency will reduce the waiting time to six months once employees learn the new procedures.

55.   Immigration officials ascribe the declining backlog and waiting times to several factors.

56.   It is hoped the move would increase space for smaller vehicles and reduce waiting times.

57.   Just two years ago, the waiting time was six months.

58.   Last March, the Immigration and Naturalization Office in Phoenix had waiting times of up to seven hours as the deadline neared.

59.   Lindheim and other Customs officials say that means more frequent and more exhaustive inspections of commercial traffic, and longer lines and waiting times to cross the border.

60.   Modems and transmission lines will become faster, reducing waiting time for information.