WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says the number of unaccompanied minors crossing the border is dropping significantly.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest says about 150 children daily — on average — were apprehended along the Rio Grande border in the first two weeks of July. He says that's down from an average of 355 per day in June.

President Barack Obama discussed the decline Monday afternoon with his homeland security team, including leaders from FEMA and the Pentagon. The White House says Obama's team committed to work aggressively to keep deterring illegal migration.

Obama plans to meet Friday with the presidents of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, three countries that are home to many of the children. The U.S. has been urging their governments to help stem the exodus of children.