diff --git a/.github/release-please.yml b/.github/release-please.yml
index c87ad8d73..7abf72a6e 100644
--- a/.github/release-please.yml
+++ b/.github/release-please.yml
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ branches:
     handleGHRelease: true
     releaseType: java-backport
     branch: 2.10.x
+  - bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    releaseType: java-backport
+    branch: 2.19.x
 bumpMinorPreMajor: true
 handleGHRelease: true
 releaseType: java-yoshi
diff --git a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
index 7e57974a8..e3a8af4e9 100644
--- a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
+++ b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
@@ -79,6 +79,23 @@ branchProtectionRules:
       - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
       - cla/google
       - OwlBot Post Processor
+  - pattern: 2.19.x
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: false
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - dependencies (8)
+      - dependencies (11)
+      - lint
+      - clirr
+      - units (8)
+      - units (11)
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
+      - cla/google
+      - OwlBot Post Processor
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Java GraalVM Native Image'
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Java 17 GraalVM Native Image'
 permissionRules:
   - team: api-bigquery
     permission: admin
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1373ed0a8..dcdc00a28 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -59,13 +59,13 @@ implementation 'com.google.cloud:google-cloud-bigquery'
 If you are using Gradle without BOM, add this to your dependencies:
 
 ```Groovy
-implementation 'com.google.cloud:google-cloud-bigquery:2.19.0'
+implementation 'com.google.cloud:google-cloud-bigquery:2.19.1'
 ```
 
 If you are using SBT, add this to your dependencies:
 
 ```Scala
-libraryDependencies += "com.google.cloud" % "google-cloud-bigquery" % "2.19.0"
+libraryDependencies += "com.google.cloud" % "google-cloud-bigquery" % "2.19.1"
 ```
 
 ## Authentication