Republicans left a meeting Wednesday night in Speaker Paul Ryan’s office without an immigration deal ahead of what is expected to be a tense conference discussion on the topic Thursday.

Lawmakers leaving the meeting said they were encouraged despite their inability to get a deal so far that would stave off a discharge petition launched by party centrists to force a series of votes on immigration measures.

“I don’t think these negotiations have been a waste of time at all. They have actually exceeded my expectations, and I think that they’re far along enough where the conference meeting tomorrow will be meaningful,” Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) told reporters after the meeting, which included moderates and conservatives.

Curbelo said House GOP leaders have a “fairly specific outline” on a possible deal, and will need input from the rest of the conference.