Elvira Arellano, Mexican Citizen

Elvira Arellano has been catapulted to rock-star status in her native Mexico, a female version of the prodigal son. Here in Chicago she was characterized as a poor, downtrodden immigrant, barely scraping by. In Mexico, she suddenly has funds to travel to Mexico City, stature to address the Mexican Senate, and clout to have them pass a resolution asking the President of Mexico make an appeal for her at the highest diplomatic levels.

What? Is there something bizarre going on here?