UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Osvaldo CONTRERAS-CONTRERAS, Defendant-Appellant

O’SCANNLAIN, Circuit Judge:

We must decide whether a prosecutor’s volunteered reason for exercising a peremp tory challenge against an African-American enables a defendant to preserve the issue for appeal, notwithstanding the defense attorney’s failure to object during voir dire or trial.

I

Osvaldo Contreras-Contreras, a citizen of Mexico, appeals his conviction for reentering the United States after deportation in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(2).

Contreras-Contreras’ claim arises under Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 106 S.Ct. 1712, 90 L.Ed.2d 69 (1986). To prevail on a Batson claim, the…