Here's What Joe Giudice Has Been Doing in Italy Following His Release from Custody
The Real Housewives of New Jersey husband can't wait to be reunited with his family.
It's been one week since Joe Giudice was released from ICE custody and permitted to fly to his native Italy to await a final decision in his ongoing deportation case. In that time, The Real Housewives of New Jersey husband has been trying to get back into the swing of things as he continues the fight to remain in the United States with his family.
Joe's family has been there for him following his release. He FaceTimed with wife Teresa Giudice and eldest daughter Gia Giudice on the plane while heading overseas, TMZ reported last week. His brother, Pete Giudice, has also been in Italy with Joe.
Joe has kept busy by continuing his fitness regimen and training with his brother Pete, looking like he's ready to pursue that MMA (mixed martial arts) career Teresa confirmed he was interested in last month.
In addition to his brother and mother Filomena Giudice being with him in Italy, Joe has reportedly been staying with his extended family in the country, including his grandmother and cousins, according to TMZ. His family even recently held a celebration to honor his release from custody.
TMZ also reports that Joe talks to Teresa and their four daughters — Gia, 18, Gabriella, 15, Milania, 13, and Audriana, 10 — every day via FaceTime. "They can’t wait to see each other. They can’t wait to sit down and have dinner as a family for the first time in three and half years," Giudice family attorney James J. Leonard Jr. told TMZ. "They can’t wait to hug each other for the first time in almost a year and talk and laugh like normal people."
Sources tell TMZ that Joe is getting acclimated to his new surroundings and is planning to look for a job soon. One of the reasons why Joe requested to be released from custody and sent to Italy was so that he could "begin working and contributing financially to his wife and four young children, something that he has repeatedly stated he intends to do upon his release from custody,” according to a document certified by Leonard and obtained by PEOPLE in September.
Joe had initially requested to be released from ICE custody and allowed to return home to his family in New Jersey to await a decision on his appeal of the judge's deportation ruling. That request was denied last month.
Teresa opens up more about how devastating it would be for her family if Joe were to be deported in the above video exclusive to Bravo Insider.
Look back on Teresa and Joe's journey, below.
Photo: Gia Giudice/Instagram
