Is writing about youth and how it led to realizations regarding regret I currently have too cliche?

Answered

This is a great question -- and one we see variations of all the time, so hopefully this will help someone else, too!

Another poster already posted a great response, but I want to give my answer as well. As you noted, the story of moving to the US and the challenges that incurs is a popular topic for college essays. It's one many admissions officers have seen time and time again with little variation. That does not mean it is not a meaningful or worthwhile story to tell or that something that made up so much of your experience and identity as of late is boring or lacking in significance; it simply means that it is not a wholly unique experience, and this makes it difficult to stand out in a field as competitive as college admissions.

It is much easier to be noticeable (in a positive way) if you write about something slightly more original or unique to you, even if you convey the same overall messages. Therefore, I would try to shift the focus from the story of your immigration and center it more on the individual experiences that caused the epiphanies you mention in your question. Perhaps open on the moment you realized something about your past, then go back and explain where that regret came from and what you've done to process and learn from it. This is less of a general "immigrating to the US was difficult" and more of a personal narrative that stems from your individual experience.

In short, any topic, no matter how overdone, can be executed well and noticed by a reader if it is done superbly and uniquely. If you find that your story is original and that your telling of it is exceptionally strong, then choosing a "cliché" premise will not be a death knell for your essay or overall application. Otherwise, steer clear of the topic (or at least reimagine it) in order to give yourself the best possible chance at success.

Wishing you the best of luck!