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also known as Giacomo Behar
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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.
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.
1
Practice Area
33 years | 3,700 cases
We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
State: California
Acquired: 1993
No misconduct found
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402 West Broadway, Suite 1520, San Diego, CA, 92101
immigratingtousa.com309 Client Reviews
Showing 61 - 64 of 64 reviews | Responsiveness
Posted by Elizabeth | August 21, 2012 | Immigration
Best Immigration Lawyer in U.S.!
Mr. Behar is one of very best immigration lawyers in US! An incompetent lawyer with a great website lured us w/"free" consult. USCIS was about to deny the case. No longer trusted him. Other lawyers told us "hopeless". 2 lawyers suggested I marry a US citizen! Mr. Behar was only 1 who gave us h...
Posted by anonymous | August 21, 2012 | Immigration
Hard working attorney
I have used Giacomo for 4 different people, all with great success. Giacomo does what you want from an attorney - get the job done. As a business owner, some people look for "deals" I tell them you get what you pay for... If your situation is critical and you want to ensure success, I recommend y...
Posted by INCI | August 21, 2012 | Employment & Labor
EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE
Mr. Behar is a unique immigration lawyer in many respects: he is the only lawyer that we know of in California, in the U.S., who has a complete command over seven (7) different languages! Unlike most other lawyers, Giacomo will personally take & respond to your call nights and weekends. That sets him...
Posted by anonymous | May 23, 2015 | Immigration
Disappointed
Very disappointed!!! I've read the reviews about him online and decided to set up a consultation to discuss the case regarding Green Card Lottery. Since we really wanted to speak to someone who speaks Russian, we were promised over the phone that him and his Russian speaking wife will be consulting ...
Dear anonymous, My response is below: I respectfully disagree with the assessment of my services, for the following reasons: 1. Our office was exceptionally busy last Thursday. You were explained that. Despite being offered different days/hours for the consultation, you were very very insistent to be seen that same day, and I obliged. 2. You were never promised that my Russian speaking wife/partner will also meet with you. She happened to have 6 appointments and a court hearing that day. Furthermore, your English was absolutely perfect and there was no real need to have a second, Russian speaking attorney present. 3. Consular processing and all Diversity Visa (green card lottery) matters are my expertise, I've been doing it for 22 years. My partner, just like me is a Certified Legal Specialist specializing in political asylum and removal defense for clients from all the former USSR countries. 4. it is incorrect that you were made to wait 25 minutes. Your waiting time was less than 10 minutes, because you and your friend arrived almost 30 min. early. As it happens, I was with another client, and as a highly responsible and caring lawyer, I didn't release her until I answered all of her questions. And yes, that took me an extra 10 minutes. 5. My hourly fee is much more than 200 dollars/hour. I gave you a very special, introductory rate of $200/hr., to be able to answer all of your questions. Our meeting, as thorough as it was, took 1 hour and 40 minutes. I did not remind you, even once that your time was up, nor did I charge you extra. 6. Unlike Russia, the USA is a transparent and free democracy where anyone can speak their mind. And I refuse to be silenced if I want to express my opinions. We are filing from 5 to 10 political asylum cases a month for Russian nationals who are fleeing, in fear of their lives, political persecution, kleptocrary, abuse, torture & many more violations of human rights by Russian officials. And by the way, you yourself live here, and not in the "motherland" - how come? The point is, I am here in the USA and I can freely speak my mind about your "motherland". And yes, I help people to leave countries like Russia & assist them to find a better life in the US. That's my job & I am proud of it. 7. It is a known fact that corruption is pervasive in Russia, which apparently also includes the process of obtaining US visas at the US embassy in Moscow. Case in point: when I asked the person you brought to the consultation, she acknowledged to have paid a bribe to obtain her visa. If this is not the proof of what I was saying about Russia being correct, then what is? 8. I promised to research, for free, a highly complex fact pattern, and I spent couple of hours doing so, and I have an answer now. I never promised to get back to you on Monday, but explained that I would do my best. I didn't charge you for my research, and myself volunteered to do it in first place. 9. And finally, I remained with you for such a long time, just to make sure, as I do with all my prospective & current clients, that all of your questions were answered and gave you examples, in detail, of what happened in similar cases to yours. The attention and careful detailed explanations I gave you, patiently, time after time, after each of your questions and several "what if" scenarios certainly didn't mean disrespect, and none was intended, far from it. My only aim was to look after your best interests and make sure your DV case is not denied. And to show you my good faith, I will say this: if still you want to hear the resolution to your dilemma, you are welcome to give me a call. In any event, wishing you much success in all your future endeavors. Giacomo Jacques Behar Attorney at law Certified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law The State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization
"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."
"Mr. Behar has provided invaluable resources to the Avvo community. I would not hesitate to recommend his services to any person in need."
"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."
"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."
"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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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
1999 - Present
Lead Attorney, Behar International Counsel, PLC
1993 - 1999
Associate Attorney, McEntyre and Mitchell
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
Diversity Visas Ultimately Granted by USCIS over DOS objections
Approval
Approval - 5 year visas granted
E-1 visa for 5 years granted
Permanent Residence Granted
1993
JD - Juris Doctor
1984
MBA - Master of Business Administration
1983
Bachelor's of Science - Business Administration
1980
Foreign Languages Translator; Conference Interpreter
2016
2014
Asylum or Refugee Status: Two Options For Immigrants
2013
Immigration Law
2013
Immigration Law
2013
EB-5 Investment Program in U.S.
2013
U.S. Immigration Reform Update
2012
2012
Immigration Law
2012
U.S. Citizenship Laws
2012
Political Asylum In The U.S.
2012
VAWA Eligibility For Adjustment Of Status
2012
Obtaining A Green Card In the U.S.
2012
Types Of U.S. Nonimmigrant Visas
2012
Deportation Defense In Immigration Court
2012
Responding to Immigrant community questions re. Deferred Action (DACA)
2012
Difficult Aspects Of Immigrating To USA
2012
DACA: Pitfalls in Processing
2012
Obtaining a Green Card Through Investment in the U.S.
2012
Immigration Law
2010
U.S. Immigration & Visa Laws
2010
U.S. Visa Laws
2009
Immigration Law
2009
U.S. Immigration and Visa Laws
2008
Immigration Law
2008
U.S. Immigration & Visa Laws
2008
U.S. Visa Laws
2005
U.S. Business Law Seminar
2005
U.S. Immigration and Visa Laws
2004
American Contracts Law vs. European Jurisprudence
2003
Business & Contracts Law
2003
American Contracts Law vs. European Jurisprudence
2002
American Contracts Law vs. European Jurisprudence
1995
Business & Contracts Law
N/A
Fiancee Visa K-1
2007
1999
1998
1997
French
Italian
Turkish
Hebrew
German
Spanish
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Giacomo earned significant contribution points in 2026.
Could my case qualify for F-1 reinstatement due to extraordinary circumstances or DSO neglect?
14 May 2026
Can my parents come for 5weeks from 24th May to 30 June 2026 and then come back later again in Novem
12 May 2026
Eb3 skill PERM Denied.
12 May 2026