"The Department of Homeland Security has decided to grant the status of temporarily protected persons to Venezuelans who are already in the United States," RIA Novosti quoted a senior US administration official as saying.
Another administration official clarified that the decision was made due to "emergency circumstances" in Venezuela, which makes it unsafe for them to return home.
Those who register in this program within six months will be protected from deportation for one and a half years, they will be allowed to live and work in the United States.
Up to 300,000 Venezuelans are expected to participate in the program.
Earlier it was reported that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken held talks with the leader of the Venezuelan opposition Juan Guaido.