Washington’s construction industry, still struggling with high building costs and slow market dynamics, is now facing labor shortages as the federal government ramps up immigration enforcement, according to a survey released Thursday by the Associated General Contractors of America.

The shortages appear to be counterintuitive as the market slowdown has led to job losses across the industry. But some surveyed contractors report a skill issue — that they are having trouble finding qualified workers.

“Construction employment has stalled or retreated in many areas for a variety of reasons,” Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist, said in a statement Wednesday. “But contractors report they would hire more people if only they could find more qualified and willing workers and (if) tougher immigratio

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