2nd Ld: U.S. State Department reverses visa cancellations as judge suspends travel ban

The U.S. State Department on Saturday reversed revocation of visas for foreigners under a travel ban which was suspended Friday by a federal judge.

The department said that the foreigners covered by the travel ban who hold a valid visa now may travel to the United States.

The move came after federal judge James Robart in Seattle, Washington state, ruled Friday that President Donald Trump's executive order on the travel ban would be suspended nationwide, effective immediately.

Up to 60,000 visas for citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries covered by the 90-day ban, including Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Sudan and Somalia, were "provisionally revoked" under the January travel ban, which triggered worldwide criticism and protests.

In another related development, the U.S. Homeland Security Department also said Saturday that it had suspended all actions to implement the travel ban in accordance with the judge's ruling.

It means it suspended the passenger system rules that flag travelers for operational action subject to the travel ban.

Meanwhile, many international airlines are allowing citizens from the countries covered by the travel ban to board U.S.-bound flights after the judge's ruling, the CNN reported.

Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 27 which bars citizens from the seven countries from traveling to the U.S. for 90 days, stops accepting refugees for 120 days and indefinitely halts refugees from Syria, in order to protect the U.S. security.

The ban caused confusion at many U.S. airports as some travelers from the seven countries were detained or prevented entering the U.S. without pre-notice.

It also sparked mass protests at major airports and cities in the U.S. and some other countries, as protesters decried it as a "Muslim ban" that targets people because of their faith. Enditem