A special naturalization ceremony was held at George Mason University. Acting Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Jonathan Scharfen led the swearing in ceremony of the new citizens. 

At the ceremony a number of distinguished new citizens were honored. Among them was Professor A. Hussaim, who was named “Heroes of the Environment” by Tiime Magazine in 2007. He also received the 2007 Grainger Challenge Prize Gold Award from the National Academy of Engineering for his SONO filter, a household water treatment system that removes arsenic from contaminated groundwater.