De facto segregation refers to the separation of groups, often based on race or ethnicity, that occurs in practice rather than by law. This type of segregation can happen in schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces, where social, economic, or cultural factors lead to unequal treatment and opportunities for different groups. Unlike de jure segregation, which is enforced by laws, de facto segregation arises from personal choices, historical patterns, and systemic inequalities. For example, housing policies and economic disparities can contribute to communities being racially or ethnically homogeneous, resulting in limited interaction and integration among different groups.