abhijitp
01-26 05:42 PM
^^
glen
04-09 04:42 PM
Approved I-140 is good enough for applying for three year extension. I don't think there is any rule to wait for 365 days after I-140. I guess the 365 day rule is for pending labour.
Thanks wellwishergc,
I need to clarify one thing though, my I-140 (which will be applied soon) is not pending for more than 365 days. Am I still eligible to file for 7th year?
Other thing is I also have a LC pending in PBEC (AD March 2005), but I am not with that employer and do not have any document/case number for that LC. Chances of getting these the that employer are bleak.
-Madhuri
Thanks wellwishergc,
I need to clarify one thing though, my I-140 (which will be applied soon) is not pending for more than 365 days. Am I still eligible to file for 7th year?
Other thing is I also have a LC pending in PBEC (AD March 2005), but I am not with that employer and do not have any document/case number for that LC. Chances of getting these the that employer are bleak.
-Madhuri
ilikekilo
04-22 02:06 PM
Hi, This is my first post here and I need some guidance regarding new-H1 under FY2010 quota.
--One of my friend told me about this company in Chicago who is doing H-1s and apparently the quota is not over yet. I am in India and
--Is it advisable to get my H01 filed at this time?
--What if the USCIS asks client letters? They said, the company will take care of it if that happens -- is that even legal to say that?
--What is the probably the CAP will be met by that time they file my H-1 in the next 2 weeks? And am not sure if the attorney returns the money in that case.
Please suggest. Thanks
my 2 cents
Please be mindful if you are applying from home thru' so called consultancies. I have seen (not heard) enough cases being abused...
bottomline, dont fall for something if it sounds too good to be true. you dont want to become a statistic! good luck..
last but not least, its really bad out here..so dont jump the ship just yet
--One of my friend told me about this company in Chicago who is doing H-1s and apparently the quota is not over yet. I am in India and
--Is it advisable to get my H01 filed at this time?
--What if the USCIS asks client letters? They said, the company will take care of it if that happens -- is that even legal to say that?
--What is the probably the CAP will be met by that time they file my H-1 in the next 2 weeks? And am not sure if the attorney returns the money in that case.
Please suggest. Thanks
my 2 cents
Please be mindful if you are applying from home thru' so called consultancies. I have seen (not heard) enough cases being abused...
bottomline, dont fall for something if it sounds too good to be true. you dont want to become a statistic! good luck..
last but not least, its really bad out here..so dont jump the ship just yet
manderson
11-09 10:56 AM
another good 485 stats website is this (THIS IS NOT A PLUG):
http://www.immigrationwatch.com/uscis-processing-statistics.html
this has status prediction feature also but wait till Feb/ March to get more accurate results when all the Sept/October receipts are counted in.
http://www.immigrationwatch.com/uscis-processing-statistics.html
this has status prediction feature also but wait till Feb/ March to get more accurate results when all the Sept/October receipts are counted in.
more...
shishya
09-27 12:43 AM
Folks,
Am on H1B and have already applied for 485 (EB2 I May 2006). I am not sure if I am allowed to day trade in the current status. By day trading I mean not just investing in stocks and not just buying and selling stocks in a single day -- I am asking about making perhaps 10 trades in a day (5 rounds of buy, sell)? I understand IRS can call you out to be a full-time trader but the rules for this are not laid out clearly, as far as I can understand. Anyone out there with relevant links/personal experience on this one? Would really appreciate your feedback.
Thanks!
Shishya
Am on H1B and have already applied for 485 (EB2 I May 2006). I am not sure if I am allowed to day trade in the current status. By day trading I mean not just investing in stocks and not just buying and selling stocks in a single day -- I am asking about making perhaps 10 trades in a day (5 rounds of buy, sell)? I understand IRS can call you out to be a full-time trader but the rules for this are not laid out clearly, as far as I can understand. Anyone out there with relevant links/personal experience on this one? Would really appreciate your feedback.
Thanks!
Shishya
PERM12
10-25 07:01 PM
Will USCIS release updated Pending I-485 numbers as published that they will do every quarter....
more...
Leo07
09-16 05:52 PM
done done done...
alterego
05-09 07:54 PM
The Employer won`t be touching the I-140 or any other related GC apps.About the time frame for getting same or similar job...I am seriously keeping my fingers crossed!!!!
Thanks for all the detailed inputs alterego !!!
Best advise. Try your best to have an AC21 compatible job offer by Aug/Sept time frame. I doubt you'll see any issues emerging before then.
Your status is legal as long as your 485 is pending. A job will secure your status. Work hard finding a same or similar one.
Thanks for all the detailed inputs alterego !!!
Best advise. Try your best to have an AC21 compatible job offer by Aug/Sept time frame. I doubt you'll see any issues emerging before then.
Your status is legal as long as your 485 is pending. A job will secure your status. Work hard finding a same or similar one.
more...
joydiptac
04-22 07:35 PM
well.. my attorney says.. i can be on LOP for 3-4 weeks..at the most..so i may have to change to H4..
If the company gives a letter of avaliablity of the job..will that be binding?
i.e. should i work for that firm..after getting a GC..
I know 2 cases where the filer was on LOP for more than six months (atleast in one case):
Case 1: The guy went for his MBA
Case 2: A colleague whose GC was being processed in one of my previous companies way back in 2001. He got laid off. was on LOP. But the guy kept attending office and working for free. Then he got really lucky he was absorbed back.
In fact some companies like IBM let you go on sabbatical. Meaning you can do whatever you please for a year then come back. It is legal.
I suggest you get a second opinion from another lawyer before wasting a LOP.
Also your second question I am not 100% sure. Then anything is possible if the company wants to support you. Cause GC can be for a future job offer. I heard of someone who applied for US GC consular processing while working in Singapore on the basis of a open job offer here. He got the GC but never came to US.
Anyhow, all the best. I could not log in earlier because of some weird login errors, otherwise would have answered before.
If the company gives a letter of avaliablity of the job..will that be binding?
i.e. should i work for that firm..after getting a GC..
I know 2 cases where the filer was on LOP for more than six months (atleast in one case):
Case 1: The guy went for his MBA
Case 2: A colleague whose GC was being processed in one of my previous companies way back in 2001. He got laid off. was on LOP. But the guy kept attending office and working for free. Then he got really lucky he was absorbed back.
In fact some companies like IBM let you go on sabbatical. Meaning you can do whatever you please for a year then come back. It is legal.
I suggest you get a second opinion from another lawyer before wasting a LOP.
Also your second question I am not 100% sure. Then anything is possible if the company wants to support you. Cause GC can be for a future job offer. I heard of someone who applied for US GC consular processing while working in Singapore on the basis of a open job offer here. He got the GC but never came to US.
Anyhow, all the best. I could not log in earlier because of some weird login errors, otherwise would have answered before.
dehradoon
11-13 06:08 PM
ok. let's say I-140 approved and pass 180 days. the person is working using ac21 and ead with a new company. the person is travelling using AP , the old company withdraw I-140, will he be able to come back in the us ?
once the person is working for the new company can he send the offer letter to avoid problem with 485. kinda of preemption - proactive approach or does the person needs to wait until ins request?
Dude, you really need to use the search feature on this forum. after I140 is approved and 485 pending for 180 days, the I140 stays in effect even if the company tried to revoke it.
Once you invoke AC21, it is not required (although suggested) to send papers to USCIS. I have read that you should not do anything until you get an RFE which I think is the best way, This makes sure that your case is being properly handled if you are unlucky enough to get an RFE. Y would anyone what to raise a flag by sending in paperwork to USCIS indicating the use of AC21, I personally know atleast 15 friends who have done this with out telling USCIS and have received their GC's
So, The bottom line is if -
I140 approved and 485 pending for more than 180.
START LIVING YOUR DREAM, DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. CHANGE YOUR JOB, GET A RAISE, OPEN A COMPANY, BUY A HOUSE .... WHATEVER, DON'T GET MARRIED - SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT WHILE YOU WERE ON H1
THE AC21 IS A LAW - USE IT, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TELL ANYONE ABOUT USING A LAW UNLESS YOU HAVE TO JUSTIFY YOUR SITUATION IN FRONT OF AN AGENCY THAT REQUIRES YOU BY LAW TO PROVE IT.
OH! AND AS FAR AS TRAVEL IS CONCERNED, JUST HAVE THE DOCS IN HAND AND NOTHING ELSE MATTERS (don't commit a crime though, or be drunk in front of the immigration officer). LOL
once the person is working for the new company can he send the offer letter to avoid problem with 485. kinda of preemption - proactive approach or does the person needs to wait until ins request?
Dude, you really need to use the search feature on this forum. after I140 is approved and 485 pending for 180 days, the I140 stays in effect even if the company tried to revoke it.
Once you invoke AC21, it is not required (although suggested) to send papers to USCIS. I have read that you should not do anything until you get an RFE which I think is the best way, This makes sure that your case is being properly handled if you are unlucky enough to get an RFE. Y would anyone what to raise a flag by sending in paperwork to USCIS indicating the use of AC21, I personally know atleast 15 friends who have done this with out telling USCIS and have received their GC's
So, The bottom line is if -
I140 approved and 485 pending for more than 180.
START LIVING YOUR DREAM, DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. CHANGE YOUR JOB, GET A RAISE, OPEN A COMPANY, BUY A HOUSE .... WHATEVER, DON'T GET MARRIED - SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT WHILE YOU WERE ON H1
THE AC21 IS A LAW - USE IT, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TELL ANYONE ABOUT USING A LAW UNLESS YOU HAVE TO JUSTIFY YOUR SITUATION IN FRONT OF AN AGENCY THAT REQUIRES YOU BY LAW TO PROVE IT.
OH! AND AS FAR AS TRAVEL IS CONCERNED, JUST HAVE THE DOCS IN HAND AND NOTHING ELSE MATTERS (don't commit a crime though, or be drunk in front of the immigration officer). LOL
more...
Norristown
04-13 02:12 PM
I was in this situation few years back. I was on bench for 8 months (not paid). I chose not to reply to the DOL letter. I feared that accepting that I was on bench for 8 months will make you out of status.
Every time you go for H1 revalidation, you will be asked were you out of status any time.
Later I have done 3 H1 revalidations (Canada), no problems. If sending reply is not mandatory then keep quiet. Six months later my employer filed for bankruptcy.
Every time you go for H1 revalidation, you will be asked were you out of status any time.
Later I have done 3 H1 revalidations (Canada), no problems. If sending reply is not mandatory then keep quiet. Six months later my employer filed for bankruptcy.
aph0025
11-12 12:15 PM
Of course, I am assuming your previous status was H-4. If it was F-1 or something else, I don't know if you have valid permit to return to that status
I was on F1 visa. I had my OPT valid up to the 15th of Jan. 2008. My consultant filed for my H1B to begin from the 1st Oct. 2007. For any one in my situation (F1 to H1B), please do not let go of your valuable OPT time, in lieu of H1B, how much ever influential the consultant is (in terms of getting you a project). They would always want you to begin at the earliest so they can be assured of your services with them. Make sure they put down your begin date, only after the last date of OPT period on the H1B documentation.
So, in my situation, I do not have a valid reason to re enter the US. That is why I want to get my visa transferred over here. Considering I do not have pay stubs, a lot is dependant on my fate, I guess. Thanks for your reply.
I was on F1 visa. I had my OPT valid up to the 15th of Jan. 2008. My consultant filed for my H1B to begin from the 1st Oct. 2007. For any one in my situation (F1 to H1B), please do not let go of your valuable OPT time, in lieu of H1B, how much ever influential the consultant is (in terms of getting you a project). They would always want you to begin at the earliest so they can be assured of your services with them. Make sure they put down your begin date, only after the last date of OPT period on the H1B documentation.
So, in my situation, I do not have a valid reason to re enter the US. That is why I want to get my visa transferred over here. Considering I do not have pay stubs, a lot is dependant on my fate, I guess. Thanks for your reply.
more...
cooldesi
01-24 11:47 PM
Your employer can file a new H1B extension petition with the documents covering the problems that caused the first denial. Now the lawyer should attach a letter notifying USCIS about the the first denial and than asking them for adjustment of status.
There is no annual cap. (or may be 300,00) on H1b extension cases. Hence in your case irrespective of your denial, you can file fresh extension one more time & making sure that you are not missing anything and a letter to USCIS mentioning your previous denial case.
I am telling you this on my own experience. And mind you this is not a time for you to be cheap. Please consult with a good lawyer.
I agree and my experience suggests that it's always better to file fresh application than mtr. this is just my personal opinion.
There is no annual cap. (or may be 300,00) on H1b extension cases. Hence in your case irrespective of your denial, you can file fresh extension one more time & making sure that you are not missing anything and a letter to USCIS mentioning your previous denial case.
I am telling you this on my own experience. And mind you this is not a time for you to be cheap. Please consult with a good lawyer.
I agree and my experience suggests that it's always better to file fresh application than mtr. this is just my personal opinion.
parablergh
08-12 08:36 PM
Hi, thanks
Point 2 looks doable..
Point 1 also make sense if I apply for premium COS for self with future date say 6 weeks from now as effetive date for H1, after i come to know it is approved in 2 weeks time I will get my family here on L2 before effective H1 date and then apply for there COS thru regular after they are here, my last question here is is it possible to apply premium COS specifying future date as effective to start working on H1
It is possible to set the start date further out i.e. 6 weeks. This would just need to be indicated in the underlying LCA and form I-129.
If there is no urgent need for your family to travel to the U.S., I would recommend avoiding the possible hassle involved in having them show up and then rush to file a COS solely on their behalf. Keep in mind that a COS filed for dependents without being filed for the beneficiary (you) cannot be premium processed. Typically these petitions take anywhere from 2-5 months.
If you file for a COS on your own behalf, you can provide your family with a copy of the petition and approval notice establishing that you have received approval for H-1B status. They can then apply at a U.S. Consulate abroad to obtain visa stamps to enter the U.S. Generally people do not run into problems with this as long as they can establish therelationship to the beneficiary (marriage certificate for spouse and birth certificates for children).
If you have any additional questions I would highly recommend speaking to the legal group/team handling your petition as they are the most qualified to deal with your specific issues. Advice solicited via forums can often lead to incorrect and confusing answers.
Point 2 looks doable..
Point 1 also make sense if I apply for premium COS for self with future date say 6 weeks from now as effetive date for H1, after i come to know it is approved in 2 weeks time I will get my family here on L2 before effective H1 date and then apply for there COS thru regular after they are here, my last question here is is it possible to apply premium COS specifying future date as effective to start working on H1
It is possible to set the start date further out i.e. 6 weeks. This would just need to be indicated in the underlying LCA and form I-129.
If there is no urgent need for your family to travel to the U.S., I would recommend avoiding the possible hassle involved in having them show up and then rush to file a COS solely on their behalf. Keep in mind that a COS filed for dependents without being filed for the beneficiary (you) cannot be premium processed. Typically these petitions take anywhere from 2-5 months.
If you file for a COS on your own behalf, you can provide your family with a copy of the petition and approval notice establishing that you have received approval for H-1B status. They can then apply at a U.S. Consulate abroad to obtain visa stamps to enter the U.S. Generally people do not run into problems with this as long as they can establish therelationship to the beneficiary (marriage certificate for spouse and birth certificates for children).
If you have any additional questions I would highly recommend speaking to the legal group/team handling your petition as they are the most qualified to deal with your specific issues. Advice solicited via forums can often lead to incorrect and confusing answers.
more...
chi_shark
09-09 03:45 PM
This issue must have been beaten to death already... I do not think that you have to be a permanent resident or Citizen in USCIS terms for doing S-Corp. The requirement is stated in a negative fashion in the code. I mean that the code lists what cannot be instead of what should be. And I think it means that a s-corp shareholder cannot be a non-resident alien. Thats it. I am on EAD and I have an S-Corp (i dont do IT with that company). I have a full time IT job and run the company part time...
I would have liked to do LLC except that it is more expensive to set it up compared to corp. there are record keeping requirements on corp... but if you are a good CEO, you will keep records for any company... no matter what legal style of organization.
The only operational benefit of S-corp or llc is the pass through taxation... i.e. income is taxed only once... c-corp has to be taxed on profits... on the flip side, however, you may potentially have a company that does very little business in the first year and hence very little profits or taxes... you could give yourself a handsome (but reasonable) salary and hence declare loss or zero profits... there are ways..
finally, I recommend spending the extra time, money, effort to read a few books (like "Inc yourself") and subscribe to inc magazine, entrepreneur magazine to do all legal and accounting stuff yourself in the first 1 2 years... you will learn a lot! on the other hand if you are starting with large capital base, then you can probably hire everyone right off the bat! (you probably would not have come here if you had plenty of money to hire everyone)
Please don't give incorrect answers.
All three corporation types (C-Corp, S-Corp, and LLC) have limited liability to its shareholders.
The main difference in these corp types are
1. How much record keeping is done
2. The way taxes are computed and filed with IRS
3. The kind of expenses allowed to deduct
4. C-Corp and LLC can carryover profits to next year(s), but S-Corp has to pass on profit (or loss) to the shareholders at the end of every calendar year.
For S-Corp, the shareholders must be Permanent Resident or US Citizen.
I have corporation of my own and this is C-Corp (due to kind of expenses I can deduct and/or write-off). I did all the incorporation work myself without any help from CPA. Incorporation is pretty straight forward and very easy. There are good books in Nolo Press on Corporate Incorporation.
____________________________________
Proud Indian American and Legal Immigrant
I would have liked to do LLC except that it is more expensive to set it up compared to corp. there are record keeping requirements on corp... but if you are a good CEO, you will keep records for any company... no matter what legal style of organization.
The only operational benefit of S-corp or llc is the pass through taxation... i.e. income is taxed only once... c-corp has to be taxed on profits... on the flip side, however, you may potentially have a company that does very little business in the first year and hence very little profits or taxes... you could give yourself a handsome (but reasonable) salary and hence declare loss or zero profits... there are ways..
finally, I recommend spending the extra time, money, effort to read a few books (like "Inc yourself") and subscribe to inc magazine, entrepreneur magazine to do all legal and accounting stuff yourself in the first 1 2 years... you will learn a lot! on the other hand if you are starting with large capital base, then you can probably hire everyone right off the bat! (you probably would not have come here if you had plenty of money to hire everyone)
Please don't give incorrect answers.
All three corporation types (C-Corp, S-Corp, and LLC) have limited liability to its shareholders.
The main difference in these corp types are
1. How much record keeping is done
2. The way taxes are computed and filed with IRS
3. The kind of expenses allowed to deduct
4. C-Corp and LLC can carryover profits to next year(s), but S-Corp has to pass on profit (or loss) to the shareholders at the end of every calendar year.
For S-Corp, the shareholders must be Permanent Resident or US Citizen.
I have corporation of my own and this is C-Corp (due to kind of expenses I can deduct and/or write-off). I did all the incorporation work myself without any help from CPA. Incorporation is pretty straight forward and very easy. There are good books in Nolo Press on Corporate Incorporation.
____________________________________
Proud Indian American and Legal Immigrant
vamsi_poondla
10-17 03:04 PM
Hi,
I have applied for my EAD and I-485 in the month of June '07 and all that i have recieved so far is my wife's EAD. I still did not recieve my EAD nor the finger prints notice nor the 485 yet. I have to move to IL from TX now and i am in a big confusion now. I heard that the mails from the USICS will not be forwarded to any new address by the USPS. If i would want to change my address with the USCIS now will it be a good move or is there any other alternative that you all could suggest me...Please advice me on this issue and help me out of this situation.
Krishna.
I changed the address and notified that with USCIS using AR-11 form. After you submit that form, you will be asked whether there are any pending applications with USCIS for which the address change has to be applied. If you select that option, one after other you can give your receipt numbers of I-485, I-131 and I-765 and change the addresses. It is not a big deal.
At the same time, I advice you not to change the address, if the EAD status says "Card Production Ordered" or "Approval Notice Sent".
Coming to Postal Dept, they will forward everything unimportant like flyers, stupid credit card offers, and yellow pages, but promptly return USCIS documents back to them. So, you need to call in CIS helpline and request them to resend the documents.
BTW for someone who applies in June 2007, I think it is too delayed if you did not receive EAD. Did you check with CIS why it is delayed?
I have applied for my EAD and I-485 in the month of June '07 and all that i have recieved so far is my wife's EAD. I still did not recieve my EAD nor the finger prints notice nor the 485 yet. I have to move to IL from TX now and i am in a big confusion now. I heard that the mails from the USICS will not be forwarded to any new address by the USPS. If i would want to change my address with the USCIS now will it be a good move or is there any other alternative that you all could suggest me...Please advice me on this issue and help me out of this situation.
Krishna.
I changed the address and notified that with USCIS using AR-11 form. After you submit that form, you will be asked whether there are any pending applications with USCIS for which the address change has to be applied. If you select that option, one after other you can give your receipt numbers of I-485, I-131 and I-765 and change the addresses. It is not a big deal.
At the same time, I advice you not to change the address, if the EAD status says "Card Production Ordered" or "Approval Notice Sent".
Coming to Postal Dept, they will forward everything unimportant like flyers, stupid credit card offers, and yellow pages, but promptly return USCIS documents back to them. So, you need to call in CIS helpline and request them to resend the documents.
BTW for someone who applies in June 2007, I think it is too delayed if you did not receive EAD. Did you check with CIS why it is delayed?
more...
chanduv23
08-02 05:30 PM
create a yahoogroups or googlegroups and start adding people in, maybe you can have one group for FL initially and then divide norrth and south
new_horizon
02-17 07:16 AM
I have a couple of questions:
1. In the AP application form, there is a question on when you intend to travel. What should I enter there when I am only applying for some future travel and am not sure about the dates?
2. I had worked on OPT after my graduation before switching to H1 visa. So when I apply for EAD now, should I apply as a renewal applicant or a new applicant? Is OPT the same as EAD?
thanks.
1. In the AP application form, there is a question on when you intend to travel. What should I enter there when I am only applying for some future travel and am not sure about the dates?
2. I had worked on OPT after my graduation before switching to H1 visa. So when I apply for EAD now, should I apply as a renewal applicant or a new applicant? Is OPT the same as EAD?
thanks.
coolngood4u80
01-26 12:59 PM
Guys Be proud that even Andhra is part of India and they are Indians too!!! Thanks for sharing this news ...just chillout we don't need to argue for everything
LostInGCProcess
08-30 02:11 PM
Isnt recording conversations without the consent illegal? :confused:
Found on the net:
The U.S. federal law allows recording of phone calls and other electronic communications with the consent of at least one party to the call. A majority of the states and territories have adopted wiretapping statutes based on the federal law, although most have also extended the law to cover in-person conversations. 38 states and the D.C. permit recording telephone conversations to which they are a party without informing the other parties that they are doing so.
12 states require, under most circumstances, the consent of all parties to a conversation. Those jurisdictions are California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Washington.
It is illegal under all jurisdictions to record calls in which one is not a party.
A complete state-by-state set of regulations regarding telephone call recording may be obtained in the following report published by The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press:
http://www.rcfp.org/taping/states.html
Found on the net:
The U.S. federal law allows recording of phone calls and other electronic communications with the consent of at least one party to the call. A majority of the states and territories have adopted wiretapping statutes based on the federal law, although most have also extended the law to cover in-person conversations. 38 states and the D.C. permit recording telephone conversations to which they are a party without informing the other parties that they are doing so.
12 states require, under most circumstances, the consent of all parties to a conversation. Those jurisdictions are California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Washington.
It is illegal under all jurisdictions to record calls in which one is not a party.
A complete state-by-state set of regulations regarding telephone call recording may be obtained in the following report published by The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press:
http://www.rcfp.org/taping/states.html
permfiling
01-19 09:59 AM
All the written agreements are valid in most of the states. but you can argue on the terms of agreement. He cannot ask her to stay in the company for 4 years. If she works in that company for 1 year, her employer should recover all the money he spent on her.
The best way is to work there for 1 or 2 years and walk out without paying anything. Or just pay the filing fee and get out right away.
You are right Chris, last year few folks left the company and the company downsized as well. The only way to retain ppl and make them sweat is to hire H1's with the promise of GC who will be obliged to work.
The best way is to work there for 1 or 2 years and walk out without paying anything. Or just pay the filing fee and get out right away.
You are right Chris, last year few folks left the company and the company downsized as well. The only way to retain ppl and make them sweat is to hire H1's with the promise of GC who will be obliged to work.
No comments:
Post a Comment