I asked about the margins because I too have noticed the displacement of icons placed there but not anywhere else. I can pile them up and rearrange them anywhere on the desktop but cannot place them closer than about 1 1/2 in from the screen limits using Jack's method .
I assume you like columns.
I have not selected view properties "auto arrange icons" or "arrange in a grid" and have no selection for "sort by". If only the bounce away from the margins is involved, then drag the icon slowly to its position.
Like Larry suggests, the margin reaction is recent and I think there must be a way to adjust it. Perhaps the issue is an artifact from the new Display Settings, allowing for "scaling of text, apps and other items". If the scale is customized, maybe the area at the margins is also affected.