Giacomo Jacques Behar

PRO

Giacomo Jacques Behar

also known as Giacomo Behar

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 32 years

Immigration Lawyer at San Diego, CA
Practice Areas: Immigration

402 West Broadway, Suite 1520, San Diego, CA

Virtual Consultation Available

About Giacomo

Biography

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%

Since 1993 I earned a solid reputation for creative advocacy. Taking time to fully grasp each client’s unique situation, am personally available to clients 24/7. Q’s are handled by an attorney speaking your own language (I am truly FLUENT in 7 languages!) & not by a secretary, as is often the case in other firms. Whether a family-based application, complicated business/employment visa, asylum or deportation case, I believe ea. client deserves the best of my personal, legal & creativ

33 years | 3,700 cases

100%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2026 2025 2024
...
+ 12
Top Contributor
Top Contributor
2026 2025 2024
...
+ 12

Licenses

Licensed in California for 32 years

State: California

Acquired: 1993

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Behar International Counsel, PLC

402 West Broadway, Suite 1520, San Diego, CA, 92101

immigratingtousa.com

Giacomo Jacques Behar's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

296 Client Reviews

Showing 16 - 20 of 143 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Kalyan | November 19, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

You get what you pay for!

I am very happy with Mr. Behar's services. His office staff is responsive and communicates well. He has immense knowledge and experience. He guided me through the immigration process with precision and was there to walk me through every step. He did not try to sugar coat the issue neither did he try ...to scare me away. He was empathetic and helpful. I am happy the have hired his services and would recommend him for all such challenging immigration requirements.

Posted by Виктор | October 15, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Иммиграция по Грин карте.

Мы семья из Украины. Я Виктор, моя жена Ольга и двое сыновей. У нас был очень сложный случай. Когда мы выиграли Грин Кард, моя жена (основной аппликант) и дети уже находились в США по туристической визе. Требовалась корректировка статуса и много других нюансов. Я находился в Украине и долго не мог... выехать из-за боевых действий. По совету друзей мы обратились к господину Бехару за помощью и ни разу не пожалели об этом. Всегда на связи, пошаговые инструкции, отчёты о том что было сделано и что будет дальше, моральная поддержка. Когда моя жена с детьми была на собеседовании в консульстве, иммиграционный офицер, который большую часть жизни прослужил в армии США сказал что у них в консульстве знают господина Бехара и даже побаиваются его и абсолютно серьёзно добавил что если бы ему понадобилось, он тоже обратился бы к нему. Спасибо огромное господину Бехару и его команде за то что наша семья воссоединилась и мы начали новую жизнь. Храни Вас Бог.

Posted by Alexander | October 05, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Polytical asylum granted only in two hearings: master and individual

I entered the U.S. from Mexico by setting an appointment with U.S. border control officer via CBP One mobile application on March 2023. I am a citizen of Russia and I oppose Vladimir Putin regime and his genocide invasion of Ukraine. I contacted Behar International Office in May 2023 and we started ...my political case preparation in October 2023. I attended first and last master hearing in January 2023. We filed asylum application in February 2024 and the immigration judge set the date of individual hearings without second master. Jiacomo expertly selected facts and documents only relevant to political asylum case that I supplied, then the attorney prepared, filed, all legal forms and supplements in time. The U.S. Immigration Court accepted all our forms and evidence documents. After 180 days of filing asylum application, I received Employment Authorization on c8 (asylum) basis for 5 years (renewable). Sometimes EAD clock stops if the attorney fails to supply the documents in time. In October 2024, I presented myself on individual hearings in Portland, OR. The immigration judge GRANTED an application on the same day. The total time of individual hearings was approximately 1.5 hours, including all formal procedural duties. My case was so carefully prepared that the Judge was ready to issue a decision on the day of my hearing, without incessant back and forth about documents, testimony, etc. This is a miraculous situation, some people wait for years for their cases to be granted, or even have numerous hearings because the attorneys fail to comply with court procedure, however, Behar International office made sure to comply with the instructions from the Immigration Court to make sure my case was processed as swiftly as possible. The preparation for individual hearings was made perfectly. I had the opportunity to talk with 4 acting attorneys of Behar International and their partners, they all be familiar with my political case and provided we valuable instructions about the immigration court procedure.

Posted by Aurelio | September 10, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

EXCEPTIONAL

Our case for Employment Authorization was approved within a month and my green card was approved within two months, without any RFE and without having to appear for an interview, even though we both live in different states! Behar was exceptional and professional in his delivery of advice and service...s. Thanks to Behar and his team, we now have peace of mind and can move forward happily in our marriage. I couldn’t recommend anyone better.

Posted by Dan | July 01, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Difficult male VAWA case approved!

Before coming to Mr. Behar, I had worked with a different attorney who couldn't navigate the complexities of my VAWA case. I felt lost and uncertain about my future. However, when Mr. Behar took over my case, everything changed. He empathetically guided me through the complicated VAWA process, making... sure I understood each step. His expertise and thorough preparation were evident, especially during my VAWA-based AOS interview, which was approved without any issues. Mr. Behar's dedication and skill made all the difference, and I couldn't be more grateful.

See All Client Reviews

Giacomo Jacques Behar's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Giacomo
Charles Christopher Adkins headshot
Charles Adkins

Immigration lawyer | Nov 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Alicia Khoo headshot
Alicia Khoo

Immigration lawyer | May 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Syed Ali Hussain Lahooti headshot
Syed Lahooti

Immigration lawyer | Feb 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Giacomo because of his polite way and informational replies to the general public for their help with immigration questions."

Poonam Minhas headshot
Poonam Minhas

Immigration lawyer | Jul 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Alexandria Jaquay headshot
Alexandria Jaquay

Immigration lawyer | Jan 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Steven Neil Perrigo headshot
Steven Perrigo

Immigration lawyer | May 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer based on his thorough and knowledgeable answers on this forum."

Shawn Malachovsky headshot
Shawn Malachovsky

Immigration lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

David E. Anderson headshot
David Anderson

Immigration lawyer | Jan 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Incredibly knowledgeable and a valued part of the Avvo community, I endorse this lawyer."

Zachary Robert Wall headshot
Zachary Wall

Unknown lawyer | Dec 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Derek Jacques headshot
Derek Jacques

Immigration lawyer | Nov 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Behar has provided invaluable resources to the Avvo community. I would not hesitate to recommend his services to any person in need."

Glen Adam Kotten headshot
Glen Kotten

Immigration lawyer | Oct 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Very experienced and exceptional lawyer. He will be able to handle any of your immigration needs."

Douglas Aaron Cowgill headshot
Douglas Cowgill

Immigration lawyer | May 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Behar provides thoughtful and accurate information to people seeking legal advice in the field of immigration law"

Rahul Aggarwal headshot
Rahul Aggarwal

Immigration lawyer | Feb 20

Relationship: Other

"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."

Zebulon Kelly Chandler headshot
Zebulon Chandler

Immigration lawyer | Jan 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top Lawyer in the Immigration Field. Easily in the top 10 lawyers in the field globally."

Johnathon Hardaway III headshot
Johnathon Hardaway

Business lawyer | Dec 02

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Gevork Arutunian headshot
Gevork Arutunian

Immigration lawyer | Sep 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

George Anthony Munoz headshot
George Munoz

Immigration lawyer | Aug 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Christine A Thurston headshot
Christine Thurston

Immigration lawyer | Aug 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Stephen Arnold Black headshot
Stephen Black

Immigration lawyer | Aug 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"The Einstein of Immigration Law. Giacomo is an immigration law genius and this opinion is coming from a fellow immigration lawyer."

Colette Katz headshot
Colette Katz

Immigration lawyer | Jun 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

View All Endorsements
Ghazal Nicole Mehrani headshot
Ghazal Mehrani

Immigration lawyer

Sarah Condor-Fisher headshot
Sarah Condor-Fisher

Business lawyer

Kevin Scott Neiman headshot
Kevin Neiman

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Peter Matthew Depew headshot
Peter Depew

Criminal defense lawyer

Somair Syed Alam headshot
Somair Alam

Immigration lawyer

Namita Agarwal headshot
Namita Agarwal

Immigration lawyer

Gary Anthony Anderson headshot
Gary Anderson

Mesothelioma and asbestos lawyer

Corey Michael Kane headshot
Corey Kane

Personal injury lawyer

Colette Katz headshot
Colette Katz

Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer

Stephen Arnold Black headshot
Stephen Black

Immigration lawyer

Gail Barsky headshot
Gail Barsky

Personal injury lawyer

Joseph Steve Franco headshot
Joseph Franco

Personal injury lawyer

Abby W. Bekele headshot
Abby Bekele

Criminal defense lawyer

Valerie Lee Murphy headshot
Valerie Murphy

Divorce and separation lawyer

Chi-Hung David Nguyen headshot
Chi-Hung Nguyen

Personal injury lawyer

Julie Fowler headshot
Julie Fowler

Corporate and incorporation lawyer

Andrew R. Alex headshot
Andrew Alex

Car accident lawyer

Joshua Paul Bannister headshot
Joshua Bannister

Criminal defense lawyer

David L Le Roy headshot
David Le Roy

Criminal defense lawyer

Alec E Cannon headshot
Alec Cannon

Immigration lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

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 Specialization

Certified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law

2010 - Present

The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Ninth Circuit

2001 - Present

National Lawyers Guild, National Immigration Project

Participating Lawyer

1993 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association (San Diego chapter)

Chair

1993 - Present

State Bar of California

Active Member

1993 - Present

The Supreme Court of California

Active Member

2010 - 2012

Westwood Ambassador Home Owners Association

Board 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

See More Legal Cases

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

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

Top Contributor

Giacomo earned significant contribution points in 2026.

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution