U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Tuesday framed its mission as essential to the public, in a message arguing it has played a critical role in shaping the U.S.’s 250 years of history. 

CBP operates under the Department of Homeland Security and includes divisions such as Border Patrol. The department has weathered some intense criticism over the past year, from both sides of the aisle, over its handling of protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement in deep blue hubs such as Chicago and Minneapolis, leading officials to admit “some missteps” were made.