(CNN) – The Biden government granted humanitarian protection to Venezuela on Monday, allowing about 300,000 people to apply and remain legal in the United States, senior executives said. Venezuelan people in the United States have the opportunity to apply for Temporary Protection (TPS), a form of humanitarian assistance that can be provided when returning to their home country is considered unsafe.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Myorgas will appoint Venezuela to a temporary state of emergency for 18 months until September 2022, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The post is attributed to “extraordinary and temporary conditions” in Venezuela, including widespread hunger and malnutrition, the growing influence and presence of NGOs, repression and dilapidated infrastructure. Department of Homeland Security.

President Joe Biden has made it very clear that Nicolas Maduro is a dictator, and the May 2018 elections are fraudulent and illegal, a senior executive said Monday.

The official added that Biden plans to provide “strong humanitarian assistance” to countries in the region affected by the more than 5 million Venezuelans who have fled their country.

An executive acknowledged that this might prompt the kidnappers and others to say “the border is now open” and said “it’s not like that”.

The official said all travel and admission restrictions are in effect on the U.S. border.

On his last day in office, the President Trump has issued a memorandum of support for Venezuela This is called a deferred forced departure. Trump’s appointment is in effect. However, there is a legal basis for TPS.

“This is another way to provide security for people,” a senior official said, adding that it is up to the individual to decide how they want to apply.

CNN previously reported that a growing group of Venezuelans fleeing to the United States was legal. Lawmakers have previously weighed in on options to temporarily protect Venezuela from deportation.