diff --git a/.github/release-please.yml b/.github/release-please.yml
index 619db3b3c9ee..1b655307ebbb 100644
--- a/.github/release-please.yml
+++ b/.github/release-please.yml
@@ -23,3 +23,8 @@ branches:
     manifest: true
     handleGHRelease: true
     branch: 1.53.x
+  - primaryBranch: main
+    releaseType: java-backport
+    manifest: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    branch: 1.61.x
diff --git a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
index 3cebf5835f09..ce2386948be8 100644
--- a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
+++ b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
@@ -97,6 +97,24 @@ branchProtectionRules:
       - header-check
       - library_generation
       - unmanaged_dependency_check
+  - pattern: 1.61.x
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: false
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - units (8)
+      - units (11)
+      - units (17)
+      - cla/google
+      - lint
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: GraalVM Native Image A'
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: GraalVM Native Image B'
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: GraalVM Native Image C'
+      - header-check
+      - library_generation
+      - unmanaged_dependency_check
 permissionRules:
   - team: yoshi-admins
     permission: admin