vandanaverdia
09-11 06:09 PM
"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination."
Tommy Lasorda
Only YOU can convince yourself to do what is right for you right now. The time now is to march to DC!!!
Help IV help you....
GO IV!!!!
Tommy Lasorda
Only YOU can convince yourself to do what is right for you right now. The time now is to march to DC!!!
Help IV help you....
GO IV!!!!
wallpaper Uchiha Wallpaper (6231973)
Rockford
08-29 03:36 PM
I moved to a desi consulting company after I got layed off in 6th year of h1b. ..................... But recently I asked my lawyer for a copy of my L/C and i 140 petition and she refused to give, then my employer requested them to give it to me. ............ and finally I had to talk to my employer and we deicded not to use their services anymore just for my case,.
Chandu,
Just for the record sake, the LC and I140 are your employers petitions and the lawyer is not supposed to give them to you without your employer's consent/approval.
I am sure there are other issues with your lawyer, but this case is kind of fair.
There may be some lawyers who are lenient in this aspect, especially in cases where the beneficiary is paying the lawyer directly.
Chandu,
Just for the record sake, the LC and I140 are your employers petitions and the lawyer is not supposed to give them to you without your employer's consent/approval.
I am sure there are other issues with your lawyer, but this case is kind of fair.
There may be some lawyers who are lenient in this aspect, especially in cases where the beneficiary is paying the lawyer directly.
cableching
07-12 05:44 PM
According to this there should be a quarterly spillover ...:confused: but it looks like spillover is happening only in last quarter :D
Spillover happens quarterly, but the visas are allocated in the last quarter! This is because the retrogressed countries are allocated their regular quota every quarter and the extra visas must be allocated based on the priority date, irrespective of the country! It would be difficult to allocate in the earlier quarters to achieve this!
Spillover happens quarterly, but the visas are allocated in the last quarter! This is because the retrogressed countries are allocated their regular quota every quarter and the extra visas must be allocated based on the priority date, irrespective of the country! It would be difficult to allocate in the earlier quarters to achieve this!
2011 Madara Uchiha Wallpaper
nomi
12-12 04:09 PM
I think, we should arrange meeting with DOS and USCIS and ask them about all possible solution of this problem.
We should find DOS and USCIS main offices first and then ask IV member who live in those States can contact them and arrange meeting and bring this issues on table with DOS and USCIS Official.
There is nothing to lose by doing this but lot ot gain if we came with some solution. May be there are some ways or something under their control where they can allow us to file for EAD and AP if I-140 approved.
If this doesn`t happend then we have nothing to lose.
what do you guys think about it ??
thx.
We should find DOS and USCIS main offices first and then ask IV member who live in those States can contact them and arrange meeting and bring this issues on table with DOS and USCIS Official.
There is nothing to lose by doing this but lot ot gain if we came with some solution. May be there are some ways or something under their control where they can allow us to file for EAD and AP if I-140 approved.
If this doesn`t happend then we have nothing to lose.
what do you guys think about it ??
thx.
more...
Nil
03-17 12:10 PM
of course i would not vote for any preferential treatment of qualification over category.
But in case certain people are heard of separately (example: folks with US education or prior experience qualifying them for a different category, as also the number of years they have paid taxes), it will only benefit the remaining.
The Masters degree exemption / extra number of H1 visas actually do not overload the total number of visas available as an instance.
But in case certain people are heard of separately (example: folks with US education or prior experience qualifying them for a different category, as also the number of years they have paid taxes), it will only benefit the remaining.
The Masters degree exemption / extra number of H1 visas actually do not overload the total number of visas available as an instance.
Suva
07-18 09:03 AM
My packet was delivered at 9.01 AM on July 2nd.
more...
eager_immi
01-26 10:16 AM
I don't think you are taking a free-ride but remember only lobbying gets you what you want in this country. Yes u can feel hopeless and watch, or you can act and do something about it. There are no guaratees and but atleast you'll have no regret of having done your best. It is like saying "oh this exam is so tough i don't want to put too much effort into it since i won't pass." Remember the saying "No risk no gain."
I (and may be lot of others like me) want to care about IV & want to contribute to IV. But there has not even a single thread of good news for last several months. This is very demotivating. I have contributed only once. Every time I visit this site, I feel guilty of taking a free ride. But at the same time I find it hard to make any contributions with nothing happening on the horizon. Currently it looks like what ever is happening or going to happen with CIR etc is just moving at its own pace. If we can not expedite it, then what is the use? in any case congress will pass some relief for skilled workers when CIR comes up.
I (and may be lot of others like me) want to care about IV & want to contribute to IV. But there has not even a single thread of good news for last several months. This is very demotivating. I have contributed only once. Every time I visit this site, I feel guilty of taking a free ride. But at the same time I find it hard to make any contributions with nothing happening on the horizon. Currently it looks like what ever is happening or going to happen with CIR etc is just moving at its own pace. If we can not expedite it, then what is the use? in any case congress will pass some relief for skilled workers when CIR comes up.
2010 house Naruto Wallpaper
sandiboy
07-24 01:22 AM
is she using her own FAQ? USCIS FAQ has different question at Q9.
Yes this is the lawyer's own FAQ i was referring to.
Yes this is the lawyer's own FAQ i was referring to.
more...
sanju
02-13 03:23 PM
Why do you want to delete this thread? This is true. The witch hunt has started. Why be scared to say the truth?
.
FYI .. This post is what I received in e-mail few days back.
I would like to bring to the notice of your readers, editorial committee and leaders of
the Indian community of a systematic way that (legally) the US Government is practicing
legal ethnic cleansing of Indians and Chinese and other H-1B visa holders.
While it is agreeable that the current economic downturn is the worst one has seen.
It is time to band together with what resources we have and make it thru this perfect
storm. However, the machinations of a few politicians and the further connivance of the
USCIS, we are about to see a systematic 'legal ethnic cleansing of Indians and other
foreign professionals'.
Leaders of the ethnic Indian community should take up this issue. Leading Indian attorneys
such as Chugh Firm, Khanna Firm, Sheela Murthy, and leaders like Dr. Romesh Japra and
Yogi Chugh etc should do something about this with their contacts at the highest levels.
How is this happening and why is it ethnic cleansing?
Since 1990's every year several thousands of Indian professionals come to the US. Because of
delay in processing of their Green Cards a vast majority of them are on H-1B.
With the current downturn, Sen. Grassley et all have raised such a stink that companies are
forced to lay off H-1b holders first before they lay off any other US employees. While the US
employers may not always do this. They are being shamed into revealing how they laid off
US Citizens before laying off others. Net Net....Indian professionals are being laid off from
large companies (ofcourse, along with layoffs of US citizens and Green card holders as well).
Now, having been laid off, H-1b holders are forced to leave the country within 10 days if they
do not find another job. Now, many are forced to leave the US as they cannot sustain living
in the US. However, some enterprising few are finding lower paying jobs or are finding so called
'body shopping companies' to file their H-1b transfer in anticipation of staying around till the
economy improves and they can find suitable jobs. Here is when the systematic targetting and
ethnic cleansing is coming to the fore. The USCIS in the past which did not, out of the ordinary
question such H-1b transfers. is raising Request for Evidence (RFE) from these companies.
These RFEs are raised in such a way that it is impossible to answer them. They are thus
not only targetting the H-1b candidates, they are systematically undermining the people
(companies) who want to help out H-1b candidates out of their predicament of being stranded.
Imagine living in the US for the past 8 years. Owning a home, then getting in line for the
Green Card. You are close to getting the green card but because of backlog you only get
what is called the Employment Authorization Card (EAD). So, you continue to be on H-1b status.
Then your employer fires you....
There are two paths here.....Technically, with a EAD card you can get employment anywhere
with what is called US AC21 Portability.However, AC21 EAD portability comes with the need
that a person with EAD should have another job with the exact same profile and same salary.
In this market who is going to give you a job with this exact profile as your old job. The only
way for a person to stay on 'legally' is to file a backup H-1b.
Thus a person in the 'last stages' of his green card also actually ends up joining a fresh h-1b
software professional.
Now, what will the USCIS do? They will ensure that they find some issue with the RFE response
provided by the 'body shopping company' and issue a denial of H-1b extension.
The body shopping companies are trying to be the Raoul Wallenbergs (helping with visa when a
person is in distress - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raoul_Wallenberg). However, the USCIS will
ensure that literally hundred thousand Indian and Chinese professionals are kicked out of the
US. The same professionals who came to US to contribute to its success will now be kicked
out of US against their wish. The companies who are willing to help them will also be harassed
in the bargain, some of those companies will be investigated for non-payment of wages, some
of them will be subjected to USCIS audits for trying to help these helpless people whose lives
are being uprooted.....I am not in any way saying that lives of US citizens is not being uprooted.
These are very tough times and there is no reason to pick on the helpless, unrepresented people.
This is as un-american as it gets. US is famous for its chivalry. Over 5000 lives have been sacrificed
in Iraq to foster democracy and fairness in that part of the world. This is an un-American as it gets.
This is a planned lynching and killing of the 'spirit' of the foreign worker who came to US dreaming
of making it the American dream and participating/contributing to its success.
What should the USCIS do?
Given the tough times...They should allow people to stay on in the US as long as another
employer is willing to keep them in status. They should not question the H-1b applications as
everyone knows that USCIS can find issues with every single H-1b extension filed right now
with their respective offices. As someone said - Rejecting a H1b now is like issuing speeding
tickets at INDY 500. Even the largest companies such as Microsoft and IBM can have their
H-1b applications rejected by the USCIS with the silliest of excuse.
What is in it for the USCIS not to do this ethnic cleansing?
Long term vision for America not just right now. This year the US Embassies in India issued over
98,000 visas to students from India. These are students who are paying their way thru education
in the US (a country with the most expensive but best education). If it turns out that US specifically
targets Indians for 'special h-1b rejection treatment' literally half of them will never aspire to come
to the US within the next 2 or 3 years.
Right now the economy is bad, but it will improve: It is a 'perfect storm' right now which is causing
this downturn. The economy will surely improve in the next few quarters. There will then be new
sectors of the economy that will boom that will need professionals. There will be enough work by then
for these H-1b professionals as well as US residents.
Confident and free people contribute positively:
If the word spreads that even in bad times this society did not turn on them then the US people
will be appreciated. But, if the message is, when you are down they will kick you where it
hurts, then this society will not succeed. Just imagine, there are at least 250,000 (maybe more) people of Indian
and Asian origin who would end up buying a house if they knew for sure that they could continue
to live without the fear of being 'ethnically cleansed'. Most Indians and Asians save money and do
not splurge. Just this measure of confidence will ensure that they will spend money in the US
economy. Just their contributions will ensure that there is a bump in the housing sector.
Finally, As they say - "Those who do not learn from history are forced to repeat it". The US
is perpetrating a betrayal of people who could contribute to its success in the long run. But, what they are
getting is a form of 'systematic and legally driven ethnic cleansing' - they are being identified and
driven out of the country which they have loyally served for varying periods of time.....
God Bless America....God Save America from 'some' of its own people.
Thanks.
.
FYI .. This post is what I received in e-mail few days back.
I would like to bring to the notice of your readers, editorial committee and leaders of
the Indian community of a systematic way that (legally) the US Government is practicing
legal ethnic cleansing of Indians and Chinese and other H-1B visa holders.
While it is agreeable that the current economic downturn is the worst one has seen.
It is time to band together with what resources we have and make it thru this perfect
storm. However, the machinations of a few politicians and the further connivance of the
USCIS, we are about to see a systematic 'legal ethnic cleansing of Indians and other
foreign professionals'.
Leaders of the ethnic Indian community should take up this issue. Leading Indian attorneys
such as Chugh Firm, Khanna Firm, Sheela Murthy, and leaders like Dr. Romesh Japra and
Yogi Chugh etc should do something about this with their contacts at the highest levels.
How is this happening and why is it ethnic cleansing?
Since 1990's every year several thousands of Indian professionals come to the US. Because of
delay in processing of their Green Cards a vast majority of them are on H-1B.
With the current downturn, Sen. Grassley et all have raised such a stink that companies are
forced to lay off H-1b holders first before they lay off any other US employees. While the US
employers may not always do this. They are being shamed into revealing how they laid off
US Citizens before laying off others. Net Net....Indian professionals are being laid off from
large companies (ofcourse, along with layoffs of US citizens and Green card holders as well).
Now, having been laid off, H-1b holders are forced to leave the country within 10 days if they
do not find another job. Now, many are forced to leave the US as they cannot sustain living
in the US. However, some enterprising few are finding lower paying jobs or are finding so called
'body shopping companies' to file their H-1b transfer in anticipation of staying around till the
economy improves and they can find suitable jobs. Here is when the systematic targetting and
ethnic cleansing is coming to the fore. The USCIS in the past which did not, out of the ordinary
question such H-1b transfers. is raising Request for Evidence (RFE) from these companies.
These RFEs are raised in such a way that it is impossible to answer them. They are thus
not only targetting the H-1b candidates, they are systematically undermining the people
(companies) who want to help out H-1b candidates out of their predicament of being stranded.
Imagine living in the US for the past 8 years. Owning a home, then getting in line for the
Green Card. You are close to getting the green card but because of backlog you only get
what is called the Employment Authorization Card (EAD). So, you continue to be on H-1b status.
Then your employer fires you....
There are two paths here.....Technically, with a EAD card you can get employment anywhere
with what is called US AC21 Portability.However, AC21 EAD portability comes with the need
that a person with EAD should have another job with the exact same profile and same salary.
In this market who is going to give you a job with this exact profile as your old job. The only
way for a person to stay on 'legally' is to file a backup H-1b.
Thus a person in the 'last stages' of his green card also actually ends up joining a fresh h-1b
software professional.
Now, what will the USCIS do? They will ensure that they find some issue with the RFE response
provided by the 'body shopping company' and issue a denial of H-1b extension.
The body shopping companies are trying to be the Raoul Wallenbergs (helping with visa when a
person is in distress - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raoul_Wallenberg). However, the USCIS will
ensure that literally hundred thousand Indian and Chinese professionals are kicked out of the
US. The same professionals who came to US to contribute to its success will now be kicked
out of US against their wish. The companies who are willing to help them will also be harassed
in the bargain, some of those companies will be investigated for non-payment of wages, some
of them will be subjected to USCIS audits for trying to help these helpless people whose lives
are being uprooted.....I am not in any way saying that lives of US citizens is not being uprooted.
These are very tough times and there is no reason to pick on the helpless, unrepresented people.
This is as un-american as it gets. US is famous for its chivalry. Over 5000 lives have been sacrificed
in Iraq to foster democracy and fairness in that part of the world. This is an un-American as it gets.
This is a planned lynching and killing of the 'spirit' of the foreign worker who came to US dreaming
of making it the American dream and participating/contributing to its success.
What should the USCIS do?
Given the tough times...They should allow people to stay on in the US as long as another
employer is willing to keep them in status. They should not question the H-1b applications as
everyone knows that USCIS can find issues with every single H-1b extension filed right now
with their respective offices. As someone said - Rejecting a H1b now is like issuing speeding
tickets at INDY 500. Even the largest companies such as Microsoft and IBM can have their
H-1b applications rejected by the USCIS with the silliest of excuse.
What is in it for the USCIS not to do this ethnic cleansing?
Long term vision for America not just right now. This year the US Embassies in India issued over
98,000 visas to students from India. These are students who are paying their way thru education
in the US (a country with the most expensive but best education). If it turns out that US specifically
targets Indians for 'special h-1b rejection treatment' literally half of them will never aspire to come
to the US within the next 2 or 3 years.
Right now the economy is bad, but it will improve: It is a 'perfect storm' right now which is causing
this downturn. The economy will surely improve in the next few quarters. There will then be new
sectors of the economy that will boom that will need professionals. There will be enough work by then
for these H-1b professionals as well as US residents.
Confident and free people contribute positively:
If the word spreads that even in bad times this society did not turn on them then the US people
will be appreciated. But, if the message is, when you are down they will kick you where it
hurts, then this society will not succeed. Just imagine, there are at least 250,000 (maybe more) people of Indian
and Asian origin who would end up buying a house if they knew for sure that they could continue
to live without the fear of being 'ethnically cleansed'. Most Indians and Asians save money and do
not splurge. Just this measure of confidence will ensure that they will spend money in the US
economy. Just their contributions will ensure that there is a bump in the housing sector.
Finally, As they say - "Those who do not learn from history are forced to repeat it". The US
is perpetrating a betrayal of people who could contribute to its success in the long run. But, what they are
getting is a form of 'systematic and legally driven ethnic cleansing' - they are being identified and
driven out of the country which they have loyally served for varying periods of time.....
God Bless America....God Save America from 'some' of its own people.
Thanks.
hair Itachi Uchiha Wallpaper by
cn0568
07-22 11:58 PM
I came to US through CompanyA on L1A Visa 4 months back. My L1A Visa is valid till Mar-09. I had applied for the H1B Visa when I was in India. I got the H1B Visa and now has a valid petition effective Oct-07.
I would like to know the following.
Can I join the Company B from Company A without going back to India after Oct-07?
I would like to know the following.
Can I join the Company B from Company A without going back to India after Oct-07?
more...
Macaca
07-17 09:42 AM
Immigration bill ignites grass-roots fire (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=89612&postcount=461) The conservative group NumbersUSA has seen its numbers skyrocket. Activists pressure wavering senators. By Nicole Gaouette (nicole.gaouette@latimes.com), Times Staff Writer, June 24, 2007
Grass Roots Roared and Immigration Plan Collapsed By JULIA PRESTON New York Times, June 10, 2007: part 1 (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=80626&postcount=203), part 2 (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=80627&postcount=204)
Grass Roots Roared and Immigration Plan Collapsed By JULIA PRESTON New York Times, June 10, 2007: part 1 (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=80626&postcount=203), part 2 (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=80627&postcount=204)
hot Uchiha Itachi Wallpaper
Jaime
09-13 10:06 AM
Come To Washington!! It's Now Or Never!!!
more...
house Uchiha Sasuke Wallpaper
kshitijnt
08-10 03:34 PM
Wishful thinking ?:)
I would be happy even if they clear all cases for 2003 and half of 2004 in 2010 calendar year. (i.e. for India alone)
I would be happy even if they clear all cases for 2003 and half of 2004 in 2010 calendar year. (i.e. for India alone)
tattoo UchihaClan75 | The uchiha clan
snathan
08-21 08:20 PM
Thank you to those of you who were kind enough to respond with helpful information and some understanding for my situation. I do appreciate that much.
And for those of you who were sarcastic and rude and accusing me of being illegal, if that was the case, then why has USCIS not stated that one time in all the correspondence I have had from them and why are they willing to give me a chance to file the required forms at this time?
They know where I live, who I live with and anything else they need to know. Illegal immigrants don't make themselves known to anybody that could/would report them. If I had something to hide, I would do so, but I have no secrets from them whatsoever. I have done all I have been asked to do and have the paperwork to prove it. I have not gotten a job anywhere outside of the home I live in and they are well aware of what I do here, I have not committed any crimes, my biometrics have come back clear, therefore I have no criminal record in my home country, so therefore I am not a threat whatsoever to anyone in the US.
No one at USCIS has ever stated by phone or mail that I am here illegally and if that was the case, I would think they would have been quick to deport me since they knew everything they needed to know in order to find me and still do. I have nothing to hide.
I am not sure what you are trying to achive here by trying to prove your legality. Normally the USCIS wont come after you immidiately. But once you are not able to provide what they ask, they might deny your I-485 and ICE will be at your door step. So try to fix the problem before its too late rather than wasting your time here.
And for those of you who were sarcastic and rude and accusing me of being illegal, if that was the case, then why has USCIS not stated that one time in all the correspondence I have had from them and why are they willing to give me a chance to file the required forms at this time?
They know where I live, who I live with and anything else they need to know. Illegal immigrants don't make themselves known to anybody that could/would report them. If I had something to hide, I would do so, but I have no secrets from them whatsoever. I have done all I have been asked to do and have the paperwork to prove it. I have not gotten a job anywhere outside of the home I live in and they are well aware of what I do here, I have not committed any crimes, my biometrics have come back clear, therefore I have no criminal record in my home country, so therefore I am not a threat whatsoever to anyone in the US.
No one at USCIS has ever stated by phone or mail that I am here illegally and if that was the case, I would think they would have been quick to deport me since they knew everything they needed to know in order to find me and still do. I have nothing to hide.
I am not sure what you are trying to achive here by trying to prove your legality. Normally the USCIS wont come after you immidiately. But once you are not able to provide what they ask, they might deny your I-485 and ICE will be at your door step. So try to fix the problem before its too late rather than wasting your time here.
more...
pictures uchiha-itachi-wallpaper.jpg
TeddyKoochu
07-12 05:18 PM
understandably so.. but I am now current after a looooong time. EB3 Dec 2001 PD. I can finally file the AOS for my wife who has been on H4 for the last 2 yrs... excellent!
Congrats Sunny & All the best must be a great feeling for you and your wife. I sincerely hope you are approved next month; you are one of the senior most in the group. All the very best.
Congrats Sunny & All the best must be a great feeling for you and your wife. I sincerely hope you are approved next month; you are one of the senior most in the group. All the very best.
dresses Naruto wallpaper named800
Springflower
10-25 11:32 AM
PD is March 2004 / EB3 India / I 140 Approved / 485 Pending
more...
makeup Mr and mrs uchiha wallpaper.
waitnwatch
07-13 12:00 PM
"Why does Murthy publicize such a letter?" - well it means that she has a client base who needs to know what she is doing in her capacity as thier attorney. Second - there are thousands of Murthy.com members who are neither her client nor her well wishers - but who go to her site to find what is going on latest in the world of Immigration. Not to discredit anyone's effort in this issue - ask any immigrant or potential immigrant into this country about immigration related question, I can guarantee you that they have gained almost all thier knowledge about the process from Murthy.com site. Intended or unintended - the message to DHS is welcome, particularly at this time, be it from whoever.
Anyone who has been a regular murthy.com visitor knows that her site consists of all her interactions with all the Agency people and government officials regarding immigration. Its called the "Internet". People post stuff - period! If it is meant to garner attention, yes, people will post messages. Its far better than a bunch of goof balls posting in youtube about thier experience with coke and spearmint. Please come out of the caves - people.
You've agreed with my notion that this is just another posting on the internet. I surely agree with that. On the other hand this letter does not "add" or "subtract" much from the debate. In other words it doesn't have more value than say a letter from you. Of course if there is a response from the DHS secretary to the letter then one can definitely say there is great value in this letter.
Also note that the importance or usefulness of this letter has nothing to do with Murthy's forum. One can also add intent to why she set up that forum but that is not the point of this discussion. Also your statement about all immigrants getting their immigration knowledge from murthy is interesting although again that has nothing to do with this discussion.
Anyway this ultimately will lead nowhere..........I donot have an issue with Murthy writing a letter and posting it on her website. My problem is with this thread on IV which is trying to give that letter a warped perspective of importance.
Anyone who has been a regular murthy.com visitor knows that her site consists of all her interactions with all the Agency people and government officials regarding immigration. Its called the "Internet". People post stuff - period! If it is meant to garner attention, yes, people will post messages. Its far better than a bunch of goof balls posting in youtube about thier experience with coke and spearmint. Please come out of the caves - people.
You've agreed with my notion that this is just another posting on the internet. I surely agree with that. On the other hand this letter does not "add" or "subtract" much from the debate. In other words it doesn't have more value than say a letter from you. Of course if there is a response from the DHS secretary to the letter then one can definitely say there is great value in this letter.
Also note that the importance or usefulness of this letter has nothing to do with Murthy's forum. One can also add intent to why she set up that forum but that is not the point of this discussion. Also your statement about all immigrants getting their immigration knowledge from murthy is interesting although again that has nothing to do with this discussion.
Anyway this ultimately will lead nowhere..........I donot have an issue with Murthy writing a letter and posting it on her website. My problem is with this thread on IV which is trying to give that letter a warped perspective of importance.
girlfriend Uchiha Wallpaper (6538876)
greyhair
02-12 01:06 PM
pbuckeye, , You are still more concerned about what immigration body shop has to say than the facts and numbers on the ground. I am confused :confused:
hairstyles madara uchiha chubi
rbms
11-01 01:28 AM
Nrc2008063600
mhb
07-03 03:57 PM
monthly contributin of $ 50 thru paypal
feedfront
11-08 11:39 AM
Nope, not yet.
Congratulations,!! Is your card really green or pollution has some effect on it? ;)
Congratulations,!! Is your card really green or pollution has some effect on it? ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment