Joe Giudice Resurfaces in First Photo Since His ICE Release While FaceTiming With Daughter Gia

Daddy-daughter time! Just hours after former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Joe Giudice was released from ICE custody and hopped a plane back to his native country of Italy, he caught up with his oldest daughter. Gia Giudice took to Instagram on Saturday, October 12, to share a cute screengrab from her FaceTime conversation with her dad, which is the first new photo of Joe posted to social media in more than three years.

“One of the happiest moments of my life,” Gia, 18, captioned the photo featuring her and her dad flashing big smiles at the screen. “Love you so much daddy, so happy you’re free. See you so soon ❤️️,” she added.

In the photo, the 47-year-old looked like he lost some weight in the years since he’s been out of the public eye. As In Touch previously reported, Joe was sentenced to 41 months in prison for mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud charges. But since Joe is not an American citizen, a judge deemed him eligible to be deported back to Italy because of his conviction. After his release from prison back in March, Joe was immediately transferred to ICE custody. His legal team filed an appeal on his behalf, and he remained in ICE custody after his bond request was denied last month.

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But earlier this month, Joe scored a major win in his deportation case. On October 3, a judge granted Joe’s request to be released from ICE custody, but he will have to immediately return to Italy upon his release where he will await the verdict of his deportation appeal. He was released from ICE custody on Friday, October 11, and boarded a plane to Italy.

Even though Joe is in Italy while the rest of his family — he shares daughters Gia, Gabriella, 15, Milania, 14, and Audriana, 10, with wife Teresa Giudice — is still in New Jersey. But the family will be able to reunite very soon, because an insider revealed Teresa, 47, is planning a trip to Italy with her children so they could spend time with their dad abroad.

“Teresa already has a trip to Italy planned. She’ll be taking all her girls,” the source told Us Weekly. “Teresa and all the girls will be visiting sooner rather than later. It’s fast approaching.”