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Giacomo Jacques Behar
also known as Giacomo Behar
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About Giacomo
Biography
FLUENT in 7 languages, Giacomo Jacques Behar is a Certified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law, The State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. We are a full service immigration law firm headquartered in San Diego, California, with a second location in the Westwood area of West Los Angeles. Our firm specializes in U.S. immigration and Naturalization Law and has assisted clients in different U.S. states and from more than 40 countries around the world since 1993.
We offer a full range of family-based immigrant and non-immigrant visa and consular application services including K-1, R-1, H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1, as well as our "house specialty", Treaty Investor (E-2) and Treaty Trader (E-1) visas and also specialize in employment-based permanent residence through Labor Certification ("PERM"). We also assist our clients with their political asylum applications and appear with clients at asylum interviews. In addition, our firm is also ideally equipped to speedily and efficiently process your and your family's citizenship applications. Last, but not least, we also offer to our clients expert personalized assistance on a full range of non-immigrant and work visa applications at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
Meet your lawyer: Giacomo Jacques BEHAR
LICENCED BY THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA SINCE 1993 - CERTIFIED SPECIALIST, IMMIGRATION & NATIONALITY LAW - THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA, BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION.
With now 32 years of practicing experience, I dedicate my practice exclusively to U.S. Immigration and Nationality law. Immigration Law is Federal & therefore uniform throughout the U.S. A world traveled multilingual polyglot, I am FLUENT in seven (7) languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Turkish, Hebrew, German and of course, English. For the last 26 years I take pride in having assisted clients in most of these languages, on an almost daily basis. I am myself an immigrant who arrived in San Diego 38 years ago from Switzerland to get my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree in the USA.
Fluent In 7 Languages. CA Board Certified Specialist In US Immigration Law. Call For In-Depth Consultation 7 days/wk. No free consultations. Phone/Google Meet/Skype/Zoom Consultations available 7 days a week.
Fluent in 7 languages. CA Board Certified Specialist in U.S. Immigration. Call for in-depth consult 7 days/wk. No free consultations. Phone/Google Meet/Skype/Zoom Consultations available 7 days a week.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Immigration
100%
33 years | 3,700 cases
Fees and Rates
Awards
2026 2025 2024
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12
2026 2025 2024
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12
Licenses
Licensed in California for 32 years
State: California
Acquired: 1993
No misconduct found
Location
Behar International Counsel, PLC
(619) 234-5962
Fax
(619) 231-1775
Fax
402 West Broadway, Suite 1520, San Diego, CA, 92101
immigratingtousa.comGiacomo Jacques Behar's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
297 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (297)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (155)
Practice Area Knowledge (143)
Recommendation (101)
Professionalism (91)
Advocacy (82)
Communication Style (71)
General Knowledge (71)
Responsiveness (64)
Staff & Support (37)
Character & Conduct (33)
Trustworthiness (29)
Compassion (24)
Cost of Services (18)
Punctuality (7)
Free Consultations (3)
Showing 46 - 50 of 71 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Willy | November 06, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
An amazing immigration lawyer who cares about you
I don't know where to start to describe how grateful I am to Giacomo. I want to start by saying that he is a very thoughtful, experienced and highly knowledgeable lawyer that cares about what your goals are. With over 20 years of experience, he made a very difficult experience seem so easy and taken ...
Posted by Andrei | October 27, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Personal approach with a deep understanding of law and people
My wife and I came to Mr. Behar for an adjustment of status case. We were worried about a few technicalities that could present difficulties with immigration. During our consultation, Mr. Behar thoroughly explained the situation and offered us detailed consultation on the steps we needed to take to e...
Posted by Andy & Maria | October 15, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Adjustment of Status
Mr. Behar is a highly professional lawyer, prompt and knowledgable! He was a good listener who offered accurate and comforting advice. Our experience with him was truly great: the whole adjustment of status process was very smooth & fast. Mr. Behar attended the adjustment of status interview with us ...
Posted by anonymous | August 27, 2015 | Immigration
Cleared doubts
Giacomo was very frank and shared his knowledge related to the question I had related to Diversity Visa. The response was very quick from his side and I would like to continue association with him on immigration issues in future,.
Posted by faisal | August 27, 2015
i asked a immigration question
he is the best in this field..i asked a question where attorneys were not sure of the answer and he gave me a precise and best advise in my situation. i wish his legal fee was affordable for me
Giacomo Jacques Behar's Lawyer Endorsements
"Giacomo Jacques Behar consistently provides insightful, accurate, and compassionate answers in Avvo’s Immigration Law Q&A forum. His responses reflect a deep knowledge of U.S. immigration law and extensive experience helping clients in San Diego and beyond navigate complex visa, asylum, and citizenship matters. He offers clear, practical advice with genuine empathy for those facing immigration challenges. I’m pleased to endorse Mr. Behar as a highly skilled and dedicated San Diego immigration attorney."
"I endorse Attorney Giacomo Jacques Behar. His extensive experience, expertise, and diligence is highly sought after. He serves the community to the best of his ability and is one of the best minds in the field of immigration law."
"I endorse Giacomo because of his polite way and informational replies to the general public for their help with immigration questions."
"I endorse Attorney Behar. He has a lot of knowledge in immigration law. His responses to queries on complicated immigration matters are straightforward and detailed; he provides alternative suggestions if needed."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Behar provides a much needed service on Avvo. He donates his time to individuals who are in need of immediately legal answers."
"I endorse this lawyer based on his thorough and knowledgeable answers on this forum."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Incredibly knowledgeable and a valued part of the Avvo community, I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Behar has provided invaluable resources to the Avvo community. I would not hesitate to recommend his services to any person in need."
"Very experienced and exceptional lawyer. He will be able to handle any of your immigration needs."
"Attorney Behar provides thoughtful and accurate information to people seeking legal advice in the field of immigration law"
"From one attorney to another, I endorse this lawyer. He has answered a large quantity of immigration questions posed by potential clients for their benefit at no charge. He is competent and sincere with all communications."
"Top Lawyer in the Immigration Field. Easily in the top 10 lawyers in the field globally."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Behar. He provides an exceptional service to the immigration community. His solutions to legal inquiries on this forum are well reasoned, clear and sincere."
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible. I endorse this lawyer. - Anthony Munoz, Esq."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"The Einstein of Immigration Law. Giacomo is an immigration law genius and this opinion is coming from a fellow immigration lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Behar gets right to the point in his answers, and his reviews show him to be a pillar of the community."
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Experience
Honors
2014
Listed, Who's Who Legal
2014
Certified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law, The State Bar of California, Board Of Legal Specialization
2013
Listed, Who's Who Legal
2012
Semi- Finalist - Top Attorneys in Immigration Practice, San Diego Daily Transcript
2009
Valuable Speaker/Contributor, Jewish Community Center Paris
2009
Guest Columnist Award, Salom Quarterly Newsletter
2009
Registry Of Outstanding Professionals, 2009 - present, America's Registry Of Outstanding Professionals, 2009- present
1983
Top Contestant - Business Law Project, United States International University
1980
Top Volunteer Award, Swiss Confederation - Federal Office for Migration & Refugee Absorption
1979
Top writer - German Literature Essay Contest, Interpreters School, Zurich, Switzerland
Work Experience
1999 - Present
Lead Attorney, Behar International Counsel, PLC
1993 - 1999
Associate Attorney, McEntyre and Mitchell
Associations
2015 - Present
The State Bar of California, Board Of Legal SpecializationCertified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law
2010 - Present
The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Ninth Circuit
2001 - Present
National Lawyers Guild, National Immigration ProjectParticipating Lawyer
1993 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association (San Diego chapter)Chair
1993 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaActive Member
1993 - Present
The Supreme Court of CaliforniaActive Member
2010 - 2012
Westwood Ambassador Home Owners AssociationBoard of Directors
2004 - 2005
American Immigration Lawyers Association (San Diego chapter)Chair-CSC Liaison Committee
2003 - 2004
American Immigration Lawyers Association (San Diego chapter)Chair - Consular Affairs Liaison Committee
Sample of Legal Cases
Extremely Complex Diversity Visa Case
Diversity Visas Ultimately Granted by USCIS over DOS objections
National Interest Waiver (NIW) Approval for Research Scientist
Approval
Treaty Investor (E-2) Visa Approval
Approval - 5 year visas granted
E-1 Treaty Trader Application Case
E-1 visa for 5 years granted
Complex Employment-Based Green Card - Labor Certif. w/Substitution of Alien
Permanent Residence Granted
Education
1993
California Western School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1984
United States International University
MBA - Master of Business Administration
1983
United States International University
Bachelor's of Science - Business Administration
1980
Interpreters School, Zurich, Switzerland
Foreign Languages Translator; Conference Interpreter
Speaking Engagements
2016
Istanbul Investment Expo/Summit
EB-5 and E-2 Investment Visas
2014
KUSI News Channel Television Newscast
Asylum or Refugee Status: Two Options For Immigrants
2013
Upcoming Immigration Reform
Immigration Law
2013
Upcoming Immigration Reform
Immigration Law
2013
Radio Newscast
EB-5 Investment Program in U.S.
2013
Radio Newscast
U.S. Immigration Reform Update
2012
Univision Newscast on Deferred Action (DACA)
Responding to Hispanic community questions re. Deferred Action Application which began August 15, 2012
2012
Special Immigration Law Meeting
Immigration Law
2012
Radio Newscast
U.S. Citizenship Laws
2012
Radio Newscast
Political Asylum In The U.S.
2012
Radio Newscast
VAWA Eligibility For Adjustment Of Status
2012
Radio Newscast
Obtaining A Green Card In the U.S.
2012
Radio Newscast
Types Of U.S. Nonimmigrant Visas
2012
Radio Newscast
Deportation Defense In Immigration Court
2012
Radio Newscast
Responding to Immigrant community questions re. Deferred Action (DACA)
2012
Radio Newscast
Difficult Aspects Of Immigrating To USA
2012
Radio Newscast
DACA: Pitfalls in Processing
2012
Opportunities for Settling in the U.S.Through Work or Investment
Obtaining a Green Card Through Investment in the U.S.
2012
Monthly Meeting
Immigration Law
2010
Settling and working abroad
U.S. Immigration & Visa Laws
2010
Business opportunities in the U.S.
U.S. Visa Laws
2009
Monthly Meeting
Immigration Law
2009
E-2 Treaty Investor Visas & L-1 Multinational Executives
U.S. Immigration and Visa Laws
2008
Special Immigration Law Meeting
Immigration Law
2008
Settling and Working Abroad
U.S. Immigration & Visa Laws
2008
Business Opportunities in the U.S.
U.S. Visa Laws
2005
U.S. Business Law Seminar
U.S. Business Law Seminar
2005
Investment and Work Opportunities in America and U.S. Visa Laws
U.S. Immigration and Visa Laws
2004
Monthly Chapter Meeting
American Contracts Law vs. European Jurisprudence
2003
U.S. Business Law Seminar
Business & Contracts Law
2003
Monthly Chapter Meeting
American Contracts Law vs. European Jurisprudence
2002
Monthly meeting
American Contracts Law vs. European Jurisprudence
1995
U.S. Business Law Seminar
Business & Contracts Law
N/A
Radio Newscast
Fiancee Visa K-1
Publications
2007
Salom Quarterly Newsletter
U.S. Non-immigrant Visa Categories Leading to Green Cards
1999
Union des francais a l'etranger Newsletter
E-2 Investor Visas: How "Substantial" must the investment be?
1998
Uniion des francais a l'etranger newsletter
Diversity visa/ green card lottery application process
1997
Union des francais a l'etranger newsletter
No longer worth to overstay visa - the 3 & 10 year bars to readmission
Languages
French
Italian
Turkish
Hebrew
German
Spanish
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Giacomo earned significant contribution points in 2026.
Legal Answers
Q&A
Will I be sent back to my home country If i go back as an H1B?
12 Apr 2026
Q&A
I am seeking legal guidance on how to address the documentation discrepancy with Employer
12 Apr 2026
Q&A
H1B travel emergency – no visa stamp – father passed away in India – safe options?
11 Apr 2026