Time To Say Ciao, Joe? The Giudices Don’t Think Joe Will Be Deported, Source Reveals – BUT Friends Are Convinced Otherwise!

Real Housewives of New Jersey's Teresa Giudice's husband, Joe Giudice, has been telling friends he is confident he won't be deported back to Italy because of a legal technicality, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

Joe pled guilty to bankruptcy fraud and conspiracy charges. But the crooked reality star never became a U.S. citizen and now faces deportation back to his native Italy. The Giudices will be sentenced in early October.

Friends of the couple were "genuinely surprised to hear Joe say he doesn't think he will be deported back to Italy after completing his expected prison sentence. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Joe would be deported,” a source told Radar. “However, Joe says there are issues with the mortgage fraud charges he pled guilty to that call the deportation into question. It won't be up to the judge if Joe is deported, but instead, will be played out in immigration court,” the source added.

The Giudices are scheduled are facing up to 27 and 47 months in prison, respectively.

For now, "Teresa and Joe are just laying low, and spending time with the family,” the source added. “They know their time together is coming to an end with Joe most likely going to prison for at least three years.”

But, the source explains, “Teresa is thrilled that Joe could be staying in the country, and doesn't want to listen to anyone that says otherwise.”