Leaders in Texas said in a recent debate that politicians will need to compromise on immigration reform to be successful.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has been in office for the last 12 years, during which he has resisted granting citizenship to the estimated 11 million undocumented people in the United States, many of which reside in his constituency. However, with Election Day for his Senate seat rapidly approaching, Cornyn seemed to be open to working with Latino leaders on this issue in a debate Friday.

Democratic opposition David Alameel had similar sentiments during the forum.

"I have never voted for [Cornyn], but this time I'm going to, because we have no choice," Rene Martinez, a district director for the League of United Latin American Citizens and staunch supporter of progressive immigration reform, said. "Alameel doesn't have a chance, so I'd rather be standing right behind [Cornyn], and have him turn to people like us for advice."

Republican Cornyn is expected to win the race. He has raised over $14 million for his re-election, while Alameel has been running by drawing from his own wealth.

Despite running for the Democratic party, Alameel's feelings on immigration reform are not completely aligned with progressives. During Friday's debate, he said undocumented immigrants who commit crimes "should be deported immediately."

Beatrice Martinez, a board member at the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said she's also supporting Cornyn because of Alameel's recent statements about border security.

"We don't need any more policing [at the border]," she said. "We need economic development there. And [Cornyn] supports that."

"Sen. Cornyn's position on immigration reform is OK," Rene Martinez said. "When he's re-elected, I think he's going to need a lot of advice. We are at the forefront of immigration reform in Texas, we've got close ties to the Senator, and we're going to be advising him."

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