Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad ordered all state agencies Monday to halt any work on Syrian refugee resettlements in the state in “order to ensure the security and safety of Iowans.”

The decision comes after terrorist attacks in Paris that killed more than 120 people and injured hundreds of others. Some have expressed concern that terrorists could pose as refugees to gain entry into the country.

“We have welcomed refugees from around the world into Iowa,” Branstad said in a statement. “We must continue to have compassion for others but we must also maintain the safety of Iowans and the security of our state. Until a thorough and thoughtful review is conducted by the intelligence community, and the safety of Iowans can be assured, the federal government should not resettle any Syrian refugees in Iowa.”

Governors in more than a dozen other states announced similar decisions to halt any refugees throughout the day Monday.

Branstad’s decision is a reversal from what he told reporters earlier Monday, when he said he did not know if Iowa had the power to block refugees, as the federal government handles the program.

Before his reversal, Ben Hammes, a spokesperson for Branstad, said Monday morning in an email statement that the governor shared the concerns of other governors, but was just requesting the federal government to be “open and transparent” with any refugees brought to the state.