How will Bravo TV incorporate Teresa Giudice‘s husband Joe Giudice‘s deportation news into the upcoming ninth season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey? And will Joe be able to return to the United States following his deportation? A new report is addressing these key questions, as sources also reveal how Joe is dealing with the news.
According to a new report, Joe, 46, is ‘heartbroken’ after a judge ruled on Wednesday that he must be deported back to Italy following his current prison sentence for fraud.
“Joe has changed a lot since he’s been in prison,” a source reveals to PEOPLE. “He’s a lot calmer, and I think the experience has really showed him how important his family is. This is breaking his heart.”
The source adds that Joe, who was born in Italy and brought to the US illegally as a kid, barely even speaks the language – amid worries of how he will fare in his native country.
“He didn’t deserve a punishment like this. He’s been here his entire life! He speaks Italian, slightly, but it’s not like he has a whole circle of people over there that he’s bonded with. How is he going to do it?” asks the source.
Meanwhile, a separate report states the Bravo network is not yet certain on how they will handle Joe’s deportation ruling.
“It’s premiering Nov. 7, so the season’s already shot,” a network insider told Page Six on Wednesday. “I don’t know if they will add anything along the way.”
“Season starts [airing] in four weeks, so they’re going to have to address it,” another insider added.
As for the possibility of Joe one day being welcomed back into the U.S., immigration attorney Matthew Kolken explained that while there are certain limits in place, a future in the country isn’t completely out of the question.
“If he was going to start a new business in the U.S. or if he has an offer of employment, it’s very likely he could come back to work or develop or direct a business on a temporary basis,” the attorney said. “There could potentially be a non-immigrant waiver, which is a temporary visa to visit or work at a business.”
That said, because Joe was convicted of fraud, which is considered a “crime of moral turpitude” or “aggravated felony,” his chances of raising his family with Teresa in the United States aren’t good.
“Even with a single conviction, they are admissible for life,” Kolken said. “Even very small, minor violations of US criminal law or any criminal law can result in a permanent bar of readmission to the United States.”
During Joe’s immigration hearing in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Teresa was absent as she was in New Jersey with their four kids. A source however insists that’s just the way Joe prefers it.
“Joe encourages Teresa to be this way,” a source told People magazine. “He feels a lot of guilt over what happened and would rather she just remained focused on their girls and things at home than have to worry about another one of his problems.”
Joe now has until November 10 to appeal the judge’s ruling.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey season nine premieres on Wednesday, November 7 at 9 p.m. on Bravo TV.
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