The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice's husband, Joe Giudice, is facing deportation to his native country of Italy.
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However, Joe -- who moved to the United States at the age of 1 but never became a U.S. citizen -- is able to file an appeal until November 9.
"Based upon the law, I find you deportable and ineligible for any kind of relief," Judge John Ellington reportedly said during the hearing. "Mr. Giudice, no matter how this turns out, I wish you the best. I decided this case as a matter of law."
The news reportedly shocked Joe, as he responded to the judge, "I don't understand how I can be deported on this case. If you will, I'll tell you my side. I shouldn't even be here right now. I have to go back and tell my kids this, and they've been waiting to hear from me."
During his prior court hearing on September 1, RadarOnline reported that Joe begged the judge to let him stay in the United States.
"I've been here my whole life, I wouldn't know what to do in any other country," he reportedly told the court. "I want to stay here."
Teresa and Joe, both 46, were sentenced to jail time in October 2014 after pleading guilty to three counts of bankruptcy fraud, and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud as part of a plea deal to resolve their 41-count federal fraud indictment.
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Joe also admitted he did not pay approximately $200,000 in taxes, according to Us Weekly.
Joe began serving his 41-month prison sentence at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey in March 2016, shortly after Teresa was released from prison in December 2015 after spending 11 months behind bars.
In June, the married couple's attorney James J. Leonard -- who declined comment on the latest news -- had insisted Joe would not be deported.
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"We remain optimistic that when the day comes where a court decides the fate of Mr. Giudice, they will return him home to his wife and four daughters where he belongs," James told Us at the time. "But that is for a judge to decide."
Teresa and Joe, who wed in 1999, share daughters Gia, 17, Gabriella, 14, Milania, 12, and Audriana, 9.
While Teresa said on the Season 8 reunion special of The Real Housewives of New Jersey in January she "wouldn't mind" moving to Italy with her husband if he's deported because it's "a beautiful place to live," TMZ reported she will not move to Italy and uproot her children.
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According to sources close to Teresa, Joe's wife has zero interest in moving because she believes it would completely change her family members' lives and would be a culture shock for her daughters.
The girls, who allegedly haven't visited Joe in prison for a while, also reportedly made numerous friends at school and Gia is in her final year of high school.
Earlier this year, rumors swirled Teresa was consulting with a divorce lawyer, but she subsequently denied wanting to split from Joe.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
