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 26 - 30 of 143 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Luciano | November 13, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Complete Journey from Revoked Green Card and Deportation to Asylum in Removal Proceedings and Getting Back my Green Card!

Anyone who is in immigration proceedings or have loved ones in immigration proceedings would know how stressful the process is. Especially if you have a complicated case like mine. Years and years of uncertainty creates lots of frustration and emotions. It was only after Mr. and Mrs. Behar took over ...my case when I finally had a glimpse of hope and started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Mr. and Mrs. Behar guided me throughout this entire process and assisted me every step of this very long and complicated case. Mr. and Mrs. Behar met with me before I sought asylum at the US/Mexican border. They explained every step to me in detail and prepared me for this long journey. My green card was revoked due to an assault dispute, and I was deported to my home country where I became the victim of antisemitism and beaten near death. Most attorneys would turn away such a complicated case due to its highly technical nature, however, Mr. and Mrs. Behar embraced the challenge and were supportive of me along the way. They represented me in both Immigration Court proceedings and with USCIS. Mr. and Mrs. Behar approached my case in the most creative ways. They overcame the obstacles one by one - including NOID and finally had me approved for a new green card! No words can express my gratitude and appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Behar and their staff in the office! It is their dedication, experience, extensive knowledge in immigration law and intelligence that granted an approval in my case. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Behar! I will be forever grateful for your support and hard work. Lastly, if you’re reading my review because you’re in need of a good immigration attorney; you’ve found the best attorneys in the US. I would recommend Mr. and Mrs. Behar to anyone who needs a good immigration attorney.

Posted by Sarah | September 04, 2023 | Immigration

Excellent Immigration Advice

Mr Behar is a brilliant immigration attorney. He was very accommodating in scheduling my husband and I for a urgent consultation. He gave us honest and direct advice on what options we have, as well as the pros/cons of the path forward. He is a creative thinker and clearly has an in-depth knowledge ...of not only US immigration but international affairs as well. Thank you Giacomo.

Posted by Nima | August 26, 2023 | Immigration

Exceptional RFE Consultation: Attorney Giacomo Behar's Expertise Secured My Case Approval

I recently had the privilege of working with Attorney Giacomo Behar for a consultation session to address an RFE (Request for Evidence) response, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. Attorney Behar's expertise and professionalism truly exceeded my expectations, and I wholeheartedly rec...ommend his services to anyone in need of legal counsel. From the moment our consultation began, it was evident that Attorney Behar had invested significant time and effort into thoroughly researching and understanding the intricacies of my case. His preparation was not just impressive; it was reassuring. He arrived at our meeting with a wealth of knowledge and a clear understanding of the challenges we were facing. What sets Attorney Behar apart is his ability to convey complex legal concepts in a clear and comprehensible manner. He walked me through the RFE response process step by step, breaking down the legal jargon into plain language. His guidance and advice were not only detailed but also practical, making it easy for me to grasp the necessary actions and understand the potential consequences of each decision. Thanks to Attorney Behar's meticulous and timely responses, my RFE response was submitted with confidence on time and resulted in the approval of my case. His dedication to achieving positive outcomes for his clients is evident, and it speaks volumes about his commitment to the legal profession. If you are seeking legal representation in immigration matters, I wholeheartedly recommend Attorney Behar. His expertise, thoroughness, and commitment to client success are second to none, and I am immensely grateful for the positive outcome he helped me achieve.

Posted by Air | August 25, 2023

Professionalism, expertise and genuine concern for my case

I had a very useful consultation with Mr Behar on my case. Mr Behar thoroughly understood the intricacies of my situation and outlined every step of the legal process with clarity and transparency. His ability to break down complex legal concepts into understandable terms is truly remarkable. Mr Beh...ar's attention to detail, legal acumen and genuine care about the impact of the legal proceedings on my life and family make him a standout in the legal field.

Posted by Etienne | August 21, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

G4 OUT OF STATUS TO GREEN CARD

Mr Behar is the one best immigration lawyer in San Diego, he is help me with my green card which wasn't easy process. I had very difficult case and even received two RFEs from USCIS, however, thanks to Mr Behar's creative efforts and expertly prepared responses. My case was ultimately approved witho...ut an in person interview. A big thank you to Mr Behar, best immigration lawyer in San Diego

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