Ask HN: Resources to help with visa for programmer from DR

I have been working with a resident of the Dominican Republic for a couple of years now. He is very interested in moving his small family to the states. On first blush, the system seems all but impenetrable to a layman. Also as we are shoestring at the moment, hiring a lawyer is cost prohibitive.

He is a programmer with specific commercial front end technology (ExtJs) and Java/RoR backend expertise. He has an equivalent bachelor degree for computer science.

Can anyone recommend any resources or strategy that may help in the process? Thanks.