They tell you that you can't travel anywhere if your passport expires within 6 months so she is following protocol and renewing. Her passport should be renewed in record time abroad. It took 10 days for my passport renewal when I lived abroad. It shouldn't matter where you live. This is your right as a citizen.

Crumb the 1st is all about power and control. Control over the movement of people and the power to put you in a Catch 22. If they do not renew her she cannot travel and if she is not renewed she likely won't be able to stay where she is either.