The US government has suspended enforcement of President Donald Trump's refugee and immigration ban and scurried to appeal a judge's order, plunging the new administration into a crisis that has challenged Trump's authority - and ability to fulfil campaign promises.

Saturday's stand-down, a day after a federal judge in Washington state temporarily blocked the ban, marked an extraordinary setback for the White House.

One week ago, Trump suspended America's refugee program and halted immigration to the US from seven Muslim-majority countries that the US says raise terrorism concerns.

As the White House worked to reinstate the ban, Trump, on Twitter, mocked US District Judge James Robart as a "so-called judge" whose "ridiculous" ruling "will be overturned".

Trump's direct attack recalled his diatribes during the campaign against a federal judge of Mexican heritage who was overseeing a Trump University case.

Justice Department lawyers could be called upon to answer for his words as the travel ban case reaches the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals.

The order had caused unending confusion for many foreigners trying to reach the United States, prompted protests across the United States and led to a series of court challenges.

The State Department on Friday said as many as 60,000 foreigners from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen had their visas cancelled. The department reversed course Saturday, saying they could travel to the US if they had a valid visa.

The Homeland Security Department no longer was directing airlines to prevent visa-holders affected by Trump's order from boarding US-bound planes.
The Justice Department was expected to ask the 9th Circuit to set side Robert's ruling so the ban could go back into effect.

Trump already made clear what he thought of Robart's action.

"The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned," Trump tweeted.

"When a country is no longer able to say who can and who cannot come in & out, especially for reasons of safety & security - big trouble!"

That rhetoric could put government lawyers defending Trump's order in a tough spot if a federal appeals court were to ask them about it.

With legal challenges pending Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways announced they would resume carrying passengers from the seven affected countries.

In Egypt, Cairo airport and airline officials said they have received instructions from the US Customs and Border Protection to suspend President Trump's executive order.

In his written order released late Friday, Robart said it's not the court's job to "create policy or judge the wisdom of any particular policy promoted by the other two branches," but rather, to make sure that an action taken by the executive or legislative branches "comports with our country's laws".