Joe Giudice is on his way to Italy.
But the reality star is still holding out hope that it’s just a vacation.
Scroll down to see what we mean…
Judges have granted Giudice‘s request to be released from ICE custody and move to Italy, which is the country where he was born and where he may be forced to relocate on a permanent basis.
But Giudice will continue to appeal his deportation order for as long as possible.
“He will be OK,” said Jerard Gonzalez, one of Joe’s immigration attorneys. “I just don’t like having families taken apart like this.”
Giudice had previously been denied his original request to be released to the New Jersey home he shares with wife Teresa Giudice and their four daughters:
Gia, 18, Gabriella, 15, Milania, 14, and Audriana, 10.
As most Real Housewives of New Jersey fans are likely aware, Joe was sentenced to 41 months in jail for his role in a bankruptcy scheme.
Joe and his estranged wife admitted in 2016 to lying to the government about their income and their assets, defrauding the government in the process.
A federal judge decreed awhile back that Joe, who never became a United States citizen, must be deported back to Italy because he’s an immigrant who committed a serious crime.
After being released from prison, Giudice was taken into custody by immigration officials and was only just now set free — but only if he lives in Italy while his appeals case is heard.
The next court date regarding Joe’s appeal is in November.
Teresa, for her part, has not yet commented on Joe having to move to Italy while his legal argument goes through the system.
She has said on numerous occasions that she will leave her husband regardless of the outcome; she seems so very over this relationship.
Last week, when asked how the family has come together and supported each other, she told E! News:
“We just do. I mean, we’ve come a long way and I’m happy I have four beautiful daughters.
“They’re strong and I’m happy to have them. I’m their rock, they’re my rock and I’m glad we have each other.”
Teresa also wrote a letter to the judge several months ago, pleading to have Joe remain in America.
“I cannot bear the thought of my daughters losing their father, I am fearful that it will break them and that I alone will not be able to fix them,” the 47-year-old wrote.
She added at the time:
“Judge Ellington, this is my greatest fear and it keeps me up at night. The fear that if I lose my husband, I will also lose my children, as they will never ever be the same.”
Sounds heartfelt.
But, as you can see below, it also looks like Bravo is pretty darn excited to milk this scandal for all it’s worth: